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Tag: Imo state government

  • Imo hits N43bn revenue mark in 2025, surpasses target

    Imo hits N43bn revenue mark in 2025, surpasses target

    The Imo State Government has announced a record revenue collection of over N43 billion in 2025, surpassing its budgeted revenue of N42 billion.

    Executive Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS), Justice Okoye, who disclosed in a statement made available to The Nation, said the achievement represents 102.3% of the targeted revenue.

    “The total collection in 2025 was over N43 billion as against the budgeted revenue of about ₦42 billion, representing more than 102.3%,” Okoye said.

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    He attributed the success to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration, which prioritised technology, digitalisation, and transparency.

    “Imo State Government provided robust information technology -based infrastructure that transformed revenue administration across the state,” he said.

    Okoye highlighted the digital system’s role in ensuring secure and compliant tax collection, eliminating leakages, and improving taxpayer confidence.

    “This achievement strengthens the government’s capacity to fund critical infrastructure projects and reinforces public confidence in the state government’s ability to drive sustainable economic development,” he added.

  • Imo Govt demolishes criminal hideouts, recovers arms, arrests suspects

    Imo Govt demolishes criminal hideouts, recovers arms, arrests suspects

    The Imo State Government has dismantled criminal hideouts at the Naze Industrial Cluster, following a targeted enforcement operation aimed at curbing the increasing security threats in the area.

    The exercise, coordinated by the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance led by the Special Assistant Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, was undertaken in collaboration with security operatives after intelligence revealed that the cluster had gradually become a safe refuge for criminal gangs.

    Nwaneri said that a cache of weapons, including locally made arms and sharp objects, was recovered from the structures during the demolition exercise.

    He said that several suspects were apprehended at the scene and immediately handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

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    According to him, the structures had been used to plan and coordinate criminal activities, including robbery, drug-related offences, and attacks on nearby communities and businesses within the industrial area.

    He reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to continue dismantling criminal enclaves across Owerri and other parts of the state, with a focus on preventing their return and securing all public and industrial zones.

    Some residents and business operators around the cluster expressed relief, describing the government’s intervention as timely and necessary to restore safety and allow legitimate enterprises to thrive without intimidation.

  • NUC approves Imo’s varsity of innovation, science & technology

    NUC approves Imo’s varsity of innovation, science & technology

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval to the Imo State Government to establish the University of Innovation, Science and Technology.

    With the approval, the State now boasts eight Federal and State-owned universities, bringing the total number of state universities across the country to 70.

    Governor Hope Uzodimma received the letter of approval from the NUC Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Ribadu commended the State Government for its vision and urged the university to uphold high academic standards and a vibrant research culture.

    The Executive Secretary said: “The university should be built on standards — with quality research, the expansion of knowledge, and active engagement with industry and society.”

    He stressed the new institution must remain student-focused and offer innovative programmes designed to produce graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to their communities and workplaces.

    According to the NUC, the recognition takes effect immediately, enabling the university to begin full academic activities once its administrative and academic systems are in place.

    Uzodimma described the recognition as a significant stride in his administration’s efforts to widen access to quality education and empower young Nigerians with digital, innovative, and entrepreneurial skills.

    He explained that the university was conceived to serve as a centre for innovation and job creation, with plans for collaboration and mentorship involving the University of California, Berkeley.

  • Imo demolishes criminal hideouts, brothels, recovers arms cache

    Imo demolishes criminal hideouts, brothels, recovers arms cache

    The Imo State Government has demolished a notorious hideout at Control Fly-Over, Owerri, which security reports confirmed was being used by bandits as a base of operations.

     The flyover was commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, but was taken over by hoodlums who converted it to a parking bay, smoking joints and a brothel.

    However, the government, just a few hours after issuing a public notice, moved swiftly to safeguard the landmark project and guarantee the safety of commuters and residents around the strategic gateway.

     The demolition exercise was carried out by the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, headed by Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, in collaboration with security agencies.

     According to intelligence, the location, which also operated as a brothel, had long served as a meeting point for armed criminals who planned kidnappings, robberies, and other violent crimes from the spot.

     During the operation, a large cache of arms and dangerous weapons were recovered by security operatives and handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution. Several suspects were also arrested for further questioning.

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     In a related enforcement, commercial vehicles that attempted to convert the under-bridge of the newly commissioned Control-Assumpta Fly-Over into illegal loading bays were impounded.

    The state government announced that the operators involved will face immediate prosecution, stressing that no misuse of critical infrastructure will be tolerated.

     Residents who gathered at the scene welcomed the demolition and arrests, describing the measures as timely and in line with the governor’s resolve to match infrastructure development with stronger security.

    Many said the site had been a persistent threat to safety in the area and praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for not only building but also securing Owerri for the people.

     Speaking after the operation, Nze Nwaneri emphasised that the government would not allow criminal elements or illegal activities to undermine public safety. “The directive of His Excellency is clear: there must be no safe haven for criminals or lawbreakers in this state. Wherever they are identified, we will act immediately,” he said.

     The government pledged to sustain similar operations across the state until all identified criminal hideouts and illegal practices are eliminated, he said.

  • Imo demolishes criminal hideouts in Owerri

    Imo demolishes criminal hideouts in Owerri

    The Imo State Government has intensified its campaign against criminality with the demolition of several identified hideouts in Owerri and its   neighbouring communities.

    The operation, carried out during the week, forms part of the broader security initiatives under the Governor Hope Uzodimma effort to stamp out criminal activities in the state.

    Among the demolished locations were black spots at Irete, Ihiagwa, around Emmanuel College and behind Deeper Life off Aba Road, and Avu Junction (behind the new prison). Security intelligence confirmed that these locations served as bases where criminals planned and launched nefarious activities, including kidnapping and armed robbery.

    Residents, who came out in large numbers to witness the exercise, expressed gratitude to Uzodimma for his determination to rid the state of criminal elements.

    Some described the governor’s action as courageous and timely, noting that the cleared areas had long been sources of fear.

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    One resident said: “We thank our governor for taking this bold step. These places were giving us sleepless nights. By clearing them out, he has restored peace and safety to our community.”

    Another resident added: “Governor Uzodimma has shown once again that he has the interest of the people at heart. We  are grateful for his commitment to protecting lives and property.”

    The exercise also led to the arrest of several suspects, with weapons recovered and handed over to security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

    Speaking during the operations, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, who coordinated the operation, reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to stamp out crimes across the state.

     “This government, under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, will not allow criminals to have any hiding place in Imo State. We will continue to identify, dismantle, and demolish every known black spot until our communities are safe and free from fear.”

    He said the priority of Uzodimma administration is to protect the lives and property of the people, adding that the governor has identified security as the bedrock of development.

    He vowed that he would not relent until Imo State becomes one of the safest places to live and do business.

    Nwaneri disclosed the government will carry out similar operations across the state until all criminal hideouts are completely eradicated.

  • Imo, US, others eye 100,000 youths empowerment

    Imo, US, others eye 100,000 youths empowerment

    Imo State government, University of California, Berkeley, and the US Market Access Centre have entered into a strategic partnership that will lead to placement of 100,000 Imo trained technology professionals in paid global roles by 2026.

    Part of the partnership is the launch of  ImoTalentHub.com, the first of its kind digital talent marketplace in Africa, a platform that connects the state’s rapidly growing ranks of software engineers, data scientists and designers with employers in Lagos, London, Dubai, Silicon Valley and other innovation hubs worldwide.

    The Imo government’s Skill Up Imo initiative is the ambitious programme launched by Governor Hope Uzodimma to move the state from analogue thinking to a fully digital economy and steer young people away from cultism and internet fraud.

    Introduced in 2022, the initiative has already graduated more than 40 000 learners through intensive courses in software development, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security and user experience design, creating one of Nigeria’s largest and most capable talent pools. ImoTalentHub now turns that classroom success into real employment by giving every graduate a verified profile, a portfolio showcase and access to one click smart contracts that manage KYC checks, escrow payments and tax compliance.

    A fintech company in Shoreditch can therefore hire a back end engineer in Owerri as quickly and securely as it might recruit in London, paying in pounds or dollars through fully regulated channels and proving that Imo’s digital youth are ready to compete on the world stage.

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    The intellectual power behind the curriculum comes from the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at UC Berkeley. Berkeley professors have led boot camps on venture funding and ethical AI, helped equip cloud laboratories powered by NVIDIA GPUs at the new Imo Digital City campus and are creating a Founder Development Programme that offers venture-capital access alongside Berkeley certification. Graduates emerge with practical, enterprise-ready skills and an immediate pathway into Imo’s start-up pipeline.

    Governor Uzodimma sees the initiative as a decisive pivot away from a resource-based economy. “Imo is moving decisively from an analogue economy to a digital future. By partnering with the University of California and the US Market Access Center we are giving our young people the skills, networks and confidence to launch world-class start-ups right here in Owerri. Our goal is to empower 300,000 residents over the next five years and link Imo’s tech ecosystem to global markets,” he said.

    Also speaking, Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi, said data generated by the hub will inform smarter policy, stimulate foreign earnings and demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to export high-value knowledge at scale.

    Managing Director of the US Market Access Center, Chris Burry, is equally emphatic. “We see in Imo the talent and determination that built Silicon Valley. Working alongside UC Berkeley and the state government, we will mentor the next generation of founders who can deliver solutions for Nigeria, Africa and the wider world,” he said.

    ImoTalentHub offers AI-driven search across different stacks and is gradually rolling out contracting with escrow protection, real-time earnings dashboards, an employer API for bulk recruitment and a community space for mentoring and collaborative projects. The state publishes anonymised hiring and earnings data, giving investors and development partners a transparent measure of impact.

    Officials project that ImoTalentHub will lift youth employment, increase foreign remittances and pull the diaspora back into active participation. Global employers that struggle to find software talent now gain a pipeline of Berkeley certified engineers and data scientists who combine world class practice with competitive Nigerian rates. Local companies based in Owerri and other Imo cities can partner with the government through sponsored apprenticeships and joint laboratories, while firms elsewhere in Nigeria and across Africa can open remote teams on the platform and tap the same talent without relocation costs. Indigenes of Imo living in London, Houston or Johannesburg are invited to register as hiring partners, mentors or angel investors, ensuring that the state’s success story remains a true community project.

    Skill Up Imo stays free to residents and continues to expand its catalogue in collaboration with UC Berkeley adding tracks in blockchain, health tech and climate data analytics over the next year. ImoTalentHub’s goal is to become Africa’s largest state backed talent directory, proving that the region’s most valuable export is no longer oil or cassava but human capital. With support from multinational employers, local industry and a global diaspora Governor Uzodimma intends to position Owerri not only as the digital capital of Southeast Nigeria but as a leading innovation hub for the whole continent.

  • Imo to host Nigeria’s first sub-national AI Institute, boost digital economy

    Imo to host Nigeria’s first sub-national AI Institute, boost digital economy

    Imo State Government has announced that the state preparedness to host Nigeria’s first sub-national Artificial Intelligence Institute (AII) to boost the state economy.

    This initiative is expected to position Imo as a leader in AI innovation and entrepreneurship, creating new opportunities for residents and contributing to the state’s economic prosperity.

    This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi at One-day workshop on “Regulatory and Policy framework for Universal Access of Telecom organised by the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES) Umuagwo in collaboration with the ministry held in the institution.

    Amadi said the institute will focus on advancing AI education, research, and entrepreneurship, with the potential to attract investments, create jobs, and stimulate economic activity in the state.

    “Imo State is not only addressing the digital divide but actively pioneering universal access and digital inclusion through bold policy, strategic partnerships, and people-focused innovation,” he said.

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    As part of plans for the future, he disclosed that the state government would soon commission its multimillion naira “Imo Digital City” where the institute will be established.

    He noted that despite progress in urban areas, rural communities still lack access to critical digital services and opportunities.

    He further noted that urban-rural disparities result in unequal access to essential services, with cities often having greater access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, while rural communities lag behind.

    To address this challenge, he said the Imo State government has implemented several initiatives aimed at bridging urban-rural gap, including the SkillUp Imo Project, which aims to train 300,000 Imolites in digital skills by 2026. “Over 50,000 youths have already been trained, with access to startup kits, mentorship, and remote job opportunities.”

  • Imo seals pact with Hilton Group on Concorde Hotel takeover

    Imo seals pact with Hilton Group on Concorde Hotel takeover

    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the keys to the completely rebuilt and furnished Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri to international standard, will be handed over to the global chain hotel manager, Hilton Group to manage as the latter and the Imo State government have entered into a pact for that purpose.

    Hilton Group Senior Director Development for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ms. Nida Sozugecer was in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Friday to sign the necessary documents contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Imo State government for the handover of the management of Concorde Hotel to her team.

    Uzodimma signed for the Imo State government in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru; the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu;, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie; the Commissioner for Tourism, Barr. Jerry Egemba, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba; the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Mrs. Irene Chima and other top government officials.

    Earlier, Ms Sozugecer and the governor, accompanied by other government officials, had inspected the ongoing renovation work at the Concorde Hotel Owerri built in 1979.

    The contractors, Roycon Engineering, took them round the edifice and entertained queries from the Hilton Group representative on everything they were doing.

    At the Governor’s Conference Room in Government House where the MOU was signed, Uzodimma regretted that the Concorde Hotel was criminally run down by successive governments in Imo State, a situation that necessitated the complete rebuilding of the edifice.

    Uzodimma who said the project would cost about N19 billion noted that 30 percent down payment had already been made and that by next week, another 30 per cent payment would be effected.

    Though he said the original projection was for the hotel to be fully rebuilt in 12 months, the governor hinted that the contractors have promised to hands-off from the project in nine months.

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    Uzodimma who said he was proud to sign the MOU on behalf of the government, because he wants to nurture the project to fruition, added that he will be prepared to take full responsibility for what he signed.

    He thanked Sozugecer for taking the pains to personally visit Imo State for the signing of the MOU and expressed gratitude to the Hilton Group for considering Imo State as one of their business destinations.

    The governor further expressed confidence that the coming of Hilton Group to Imo, and in competition with Marriott, will boost economic activities in the State, help create employment opportunities and enhance tourism potential which Imo is already a pace setter in the country.

    Uzodimma is optimistic that the coming of the Hilton Group and Marriott will fill the gap created by the absence of hotels of global standards in Imo for which most oil companies doing business in the State in particular, and Nigeria in general, complain are not always available for their use.

    In her brief remarks, Sozugecer said that the Hilton Group is excited to be in Owerri, Imo State and could not wait to reap from the benefits which doing business in this part of the country portends.

  • Imo Govt denies imposing fines on solar panels, generators

    Imo Govt denies imposing fines on solar panels, generators

    The Imo state government has debunked reports that it was imposing fines on those who use solar panels and generators in the state.

    It noted that while the government has the responsibility to ensure the environmental safety of citizens, it has never contemplated sanctioning anyone for using either solar panels or generators.

    The state commissioner for information, public orientation and strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba deplored the unprofessional manner the authors of the fake story set out to tarnish the image of the Imo state government for not just cause.

    He noted that the story which had been trending on social media “lumped Imo State with another state which categorically instituted that policy.”

    “Of course, the publishers of the mischievous story could not attribute it to any official of the Imo state government because we don’t have such a policy in place,” he explained.

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    According to him, “The story merely mentioned an imposition of two million Naira fine on one Nneoma bakery for various environmental infractions accumulated over the past three years without being specific.”

    Emelumba described the publication as the figment of the imagination of the authors to attract attention to themselves” and in the process,” devaluing the practice of journalism.”

    The Commissioner disclosed that the state government has even gone beyond who uses any alternative source of energy as it is on the verge of providing an uninterrupted power supply to the people of the state.

    He said: “We have gone far in our bid to provide power supply 24/7 across the state for us to bother with who uses solar panels or generators.”

    He therefore urged the public to disregard the misleading story as the government at no point in time imposed any levy on those using alternative energy sources.