Nigerians in their great numbers are over the moon and have been gleefully savouring the appointment of Kaycee Madu as Minister of Justice in Alberta, Canada. President Buhari is not left out in the infectious excitement as he described the appointment as “a landmark and historic,’’ in a press statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina. The President also appealed in the press statement for “Nigerians, both at home and abroad to remain good ambassadors of their country.’’

Not yet done with the jubilations and ovations, one Somto Okonkwo exhilaratingly heralded the appointment in a screaming head line, ‘’An Igbo man, Mazi Kaycee Madu, has been made Minister for Justice and Solicitor General in Canada,’’ ostensibly to give Ndigbo what late Dr K.O Mbadiwe would have termed ‘’psychological glorification’’ from the various daunting challenges facing them as a people. The current mood equates the pure effusion of joy which the exploits and victories of the all conquering Enugu Rangers International of old gave to Ndigbo shortly after the civil war.

Success, like victory, is sweet, so let us celebrate and savour the feat of our brother, Mazi Madu if it is an elixir from the many challenges we are grappling with.

In all these, one person remains unamused but deeply introspective. She is not a kill-joy, that I am sure, but is aware and spurred by her training, which posits that labour is the most important factor of production. That is elementary economics that has been proven true time and time again.

Mrs. Emilia Mgbemena is a professor of Economics and a ranking member of Anambra Alliance, a fledgling organization of Ndi Anambra and her friends, conceived to strive to be the Chatham House of Nigeria. She intoned rhetorically as the ovations raged in her AA whatsapp chat -‘’in another man’s land? A loss, because we are Nigerians.’’ Indeed, what Prof. Mgbemena was labouring to draw the attention of the jubilant crowd to, is the fact that what our global citizen, Kaycee Madu and many others like him are doing should be seen as helping ‘strangers’ upscale their countries’ progress and the well-being of their people while ours remain stagnate. She would prefer that we create the environment for them to come back home with what they have learnt, to assist in nation building. After all, the Igbos hold that the well travelled, well learned and well exposed man is wiser than his older counterpart. Her disposition certainly may have been influenced by the stellar career path of another Professor of Economics, Chukuwma Soludo.

Soludo certainly would have been a Nobel Laureate in Economics if he had chosen to remain in the global finance circuit where he was consulting for over 20 international finance and development institutions and providing solutions to the myriad of economic challenges facing the world. Recall he was the only African that made the team of international experts put together by the world to halt the 2008/9 global financial meltdown. On the contrary, Soludo chose to support his country instead of hugging global limelight and winning personal laurels that go with such endeavours. He cherishes winning for Anambra and the country.

And because he thinks global and acts local, he cut short an illustrious and thriving global career to answer an equally important national call for service to Nigeria when former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo asked him to come and serve. What he did in the positions he superintended have been well documented and globally celebrated.

Now, Soludo is leading a crack team of eggheads to fashion out a future for the next 50 years for Anambra state. The team is, as they say, burning the midnight candle to provide the pathway to a greater Anambra. His examples and achievements in public service are igniting a new dawn in the politics of Anambra state by a grateful Ndi Anambra.

Today, something novel is happening in the state. All segments of the state are urging him to run in the governorship election taking place next year, so that he can build on the success of the current administration and take Ndi Anambra to the Promised Land. This phenomenon or movement has already coalesced into a Soludo brand tribe with believers and apostles and offering members a greater sense of purpose.

I pray he accepts, because the state and indeed, the country can derive two important benefits therefrom: the beginning of the end to the indifference of the elites to politics and governance and the deepening of democratic culture with the attendant dividends. I can recall that this was what the likes of Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and a host of others did to the once drab and unappealing journalism profession and happily, the country is better for it. As we know, Soludo changes the game for good in any sector he is involved

Now, the elites are coming and furiously too. Many are saying no to late Bola Ige’s mantra of ”Siddon Look.” I saw them, men and women in large numbers in Nkpologwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, at the launch of Soludo Promoters Forum; resolute, determined and committed to be in the Arena with other segments of the society to work and fight for the glorious future; the African Dubai Taiwan as envisioned by Soludo. They know that the stakes are very high to remain neutral and they are getting involved. True, every serious football team goes to a tournament with their best team if winning is the goal. That is also true for business and politics.

So all eyes are on Soludo to accept the clarion calls and when this happens, I see a paradigm shift in the way we undertake our political processes and engagements as the active involvement of the elites is premised on the philosophical underpinnings of Ideas Generation, Organization, Collective Ownership and Volunteerism in pursuance of getting Soludo to run, to work for his victory at the poll and to support in the attainment of the Anambra Smart Megacity aka African Dubai Taiwan. In the end, the quality of life of the citizenry will improve as Soludo has the stage presence and confidence to work with the best Anambra have irrespective of where they reside.

*Joe Anatune writes from Awa in Orumba North, Anambra State