By Ethelbert Okere
On January 15, 2020, Senator Hope Uzodimma was sworn in as the 7th democratically elected governor of Imo state. Shortly after the oath-taking, Uzodimma proceeded to give his inaugural speech, which can be encapsulated in the following extraction: “I shall execute with utmost diligence and fidelity the five cardinal programmes of my administration anchored on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery to ensure prosperity for all”.
Governor Uzodimma was to further adumbrate on his “prosperity for all mantra” when, in his maiden broadcast to the people on January 18, 2020, he said: “Our new Imo state will enshrine a new shared prosperity in which the common wealth of the people is made available for the good of all”.
Now, four years after and on the eve of taking up the renewed mandate handed over to him by the people on November 11, 2023, some skeptics are wont to ask: Did Governor Uzodimma share prosperity among his people in Imo state? While the answer to the above question cannot be a straight “Yes” or “No”, it even ought not arise in the first instance since nobody, no matter how powerful, can decree or distribute “prosperity”. The answer to the question, therefore, is that Governor Uzodimma might not have turned every household in Imo state into an Eldorado but there can be no doubt that in the four years during which he exercised his first mandate, he set the stage for a take off into sustainable prosperity of the Imo collective.
Uzodimma’s “Shared Prosperity” agenda is essentially aimed at lifting a substantial proportion of the Imo population out of poverty through the following: reduction of hunger, provision of good health facilities, provision of qualitative education, provision of portable water and clean environment, revival of infrastructure, gender equality, higher productivity, skills acquisition, increase in agricultural production etc. So much has been written on the giant strides made by the administration in the aforementioned sectors in its first four years but what is more germane at this point in time is the fact that the governor is already targeting at a stronger and wider macro socio-economic framework within which to further pursue his Shared Prosperity vision; and the signs for this become quite glaring even with a cursory look at his 2024 budget proposal and which he aptly christened, “Budget of Renewed Growth”.
Of the total of 582.2 billion naira budget, 491.2 billion naira, representing 82.9 percent of the total budget, will be on capital expenditure. Apart from that the 82.9 per cent represents the highest allocation to capital expenditure in the budget history of the state, it translates to a 32 per cent increase in capital expenditure compared with the previous year. Of course, it needs no exaggeration to state that such a gigantic allocation to capital expenditure is a clear indication that the governor is poised for a steadfast and unrelenting pursuit of his determination to stimulate and fast-track economic growth in the state. This very ambitious capital outlay for fiscal 2024, is, according to the governor, part of a 10-year development plan which focuses on the proposed Orashi Free Trade Zone together with Orashi River dredging project, youth empowerment, agriculture etc, as a paradigm shift for massive economic growth within the period under focus.
The proposed sea access route from Oguta Lake through the Orashi river to the Atlantic has been described by those who are in position to know a “game changer” for Imo state in particular, and Nigeria, even the entire West African region, as a whole. The project, which was initiated, approved and set in motion under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a collaboration between the Imo state government, the Nigerian Navy and a Consortium of technical partners. Speaking on the importance of the project at the flag-off of the pre-dredging hydraulic survey in May 2023, immediate past Vice President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said: “there are projects and there are projects but this project is unique. This is an economic transformation project; it is a game changer for Imo state, Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa. It is one of those one-of-a-kind projects whose benefits have always been glaring but vision, courage and tenacity were required to bring it to fruition. The project will fulfill its promise of radical transformation not only for the economy of the Southeast but for our nation as a whole”
A few days before the flag-off, President Buhari had granted the request by Governor Uzodimma to declare Oguta/Ohaji/Egbema and its environ as an Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone. The proposed Free Trade Zone has one of the largest hydrocarbon deposits in the country. According to experts, the synergy between the proposed sea route and the Free Trade Zone will deliver enormous commercial benefits for the entire Southeast zone and Imo state in particular.
Outside the Oguta-Orashi river dredging project, Governor Uzodimma has also mapped out other avenues through which he will, in the next four years, pursue his aggressive job creation programme. Already, his Skill-Up Imo programme has also been described as second to none. The programme is designed to provide free training and support to 300,000 youths – within a period of three years – in new, innovative and economically viable skills needed for them to be productively employed or to be self employed. This programme was preceded by the creation of a Ministry of Digital Economy and E-governance by the Uzodimma administration, making Imo the only state to do so in the entire federation. The creation of the ministry was in line with the governor’s vision to introduce a digital economic blueprint fashioned out to enhance the state’s economic development in accordance with global best practice.
The first batch of 15 thousand trainees graduated in September 2023 at a ceremony at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. At that occasion Governor Uzodimma pronounced that his administration will continue to provide empowerment opportunities for the youths of the state, citing the importance of technology in wealth creation: “… Imo state is set to become the digital hub of Nigeria and Africa”, he told the audience.
Special guest of honour at the ceremony, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, and chairman of the partnering company, Zinox Technologies, in a remark eulogized Governor Uzodimma for the enduring legacy he has brought to bear with the digital empowerment programme. “It is unprecedented. You can quote me. I do not know what inspired the governor. He has put a futuristic system in place … I am excited with what the governor is doing. This is not the first time. The first time was, 5000 youths. Today, 15,000 youths. I am a witness and we are all witnesses to this ambition to create digital natives… what His Excellency has done today, it will even be difficult for the federal government to achieve in such a short period of time”. Turning to the graduands, Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon, said: “if I am one of you today, I will take that tool, go home, invite my parents, brothers and sisters and hold hands and pray for the governor, his family and his government”.
Several participants in the Skill-Up programme, have caught the attention of global tech organizations who are encouraged by the contents and processes of the programme. Already, representatives of some of these tech giants in Europe, Canada and Singapore have visited the 3R Digital Learning Centre in Owerri, which has been described as a “Centre of Excellency”. Subsequently, some of the companies have expressed interest in partnering with the Imo state government in a programme that will see some of its graduates participating in an exchange scheme in order to further sharpen their skill for competition at the global level.
In the next four years, Governor Uzodimma will have his hands full with how to ensure that he meets the expectations of people of Imo state, especially the youths, who are very much excited and enthusiastic about the prospects of the Skill-Up programme. In simple terms, this particular project is one of his covenants with Ndi Imo as he goes into his second term in office.
