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Tag: Uzodimma

  • PDP accuses Uzodimma of booking all hotel rooms in Owerri ahead of poll

    PDP accuses Uzodimma of booking all hotel rooms in Owerri ahead of poll

    The allegation by the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party(PDP) that the Imo State Government has booked all hotel rooms in Owerri, the state capital, has been generating tension in the state.

    The allegation by the Director of Media and Publicity, Imo PDP Governorship Campaign Organization, Ikenna Onuoha suggests that Governor Hope Uzodimma plans to pay more than N5 billion to occupy over 4,000 hotels in the metropolis.

    Onuoha said: “The Sam-Jones Governorship Campaign Organization in Imo State is utterly appalled to inform Imo people of another plot by Hope Uzodimma to hide foreign machinery in over 4,000 hotel rooms in the state. The renting will cost the state government over N5 billion cumulatively.”

     He said that the reason for renting all the rooms is to frustrate election observers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and officials of opposition political parties from having access to any hotel room when they arrive in Imo for election monitoring. He added: “This plot was uncovered in a letter dated 25th October 2023 with reference No: MTC&CA/S.76/VOL.1/T/90, captioned, “Request for Reservation of Your Hotel Rooms from 4th November-12th November 2023” and signed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Barr Jerry Egbule Egemba.”

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    But, the government, through the state Commissioner for Tourism, Egemba, said the state government’s action was to checkmate the influx of thugs which the opposition party intends to flood the state with during the election and not to muzzle election observers.

    Egemba said: “If the directive intended to deny CSOs and Election Observers access to the hotel facilities as wrongly alleged by the opposition elements, the directives would not have been conveyed in an official letter to all the hotel owners and managers in the state in a full letter headed paper of the ministry fully endorsed by the honourable commissioner with his signature.

    “What was there to hide even when some of the opposition members are hotel owners and managers and the letters were also sent to them? Certainly, we have nothing to hide. If indeed it was something sinister, the letters would not have been given to the hotels belonging to the opposition members.

    “We are therefore stating without any fear of contradiction that the intentions behind the letter were genuine and patriotic and were borne in the best interest of the state for a peaceful conduct of the upcoming governorship election by denying thugs loyal to politicians access into the state.”

  • Imo students endorse Uzodimma

    Imo students endorse Uzodimma

    Students from higher institutions in Imo have endorsed All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Hope Uzodimma for the November 11 election.

    The students during a prayer summit at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square in Owerri said they were endorsing the governor for his student-friendly policies, especially introduction of Imo Skill Up, which has not trained 20,000 youths in digital skills and equipped them with 20,000 laptops.

    Speaking on behalf of the students, Okereke Bishop, former SUG President of Federal University of Technology (FUTO) said the governor has performed.

    Read Also: Why Uzodimma should be re-elected, by cleric

    He Uzodinma effected the conversion of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to a Federal University Teaching Hospital.

    He noted for over 10 years, students in Imo studying medicine were not able to graduate until Uzodimma intervened.

    Uzodimma, represented by his Chief Political Adviser and Secretary of Imo APC State Campaign Council, Chief  Enyinna Onuegbu, appreciated the students for their support.

  • Why Uzodimma should be re-elected, by cleric

    Why Uzodimma should be re-elected, by cleric

    Lagos priest, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi of the Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, has explained why Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma should be re-elected.

    The spiritual leader, who hails from Ubulu-Ihejifor in Oru-West Council, Imo State, praised the governor’s exceptional leadership and vision for the state.

    Obi, known for his influence and spiritual guidance for people in the southeast region, spoke passionately about the governor’s achievements and dedication to the well-being of the people.

    The pastor commended  Uzodimma for his commitment to the overall development of Imo State and Igboland in general, especially his intervention during the demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State government, which affected people of southeast extraction.

    He also praised the governor for his performance in key areas including healthcare, economic development, education, and infrastructure. He particularly hailed him for heeding his cry about the deplorable condition of the road leading to his village.

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    He said: “My interest in the Imo Governorship election is peace. I know that people listen to me and respect me enough because they know I am a man of integrity. I want to use this opportunity to praise Governor Uzodimma because we must praise him when he does well.

    “When Lagos started demolishing houses of Igbo people, Uzodimma was the only governor from the southeast who went to meet the Lagos State Governor. They dialogued, and the demolition was stopped.

    “There was a time I cried out about the road leading to my village, which was abandoned by previous governors, and Uzodimma listened to me and promised that the road would be fixed. He has fulfilled his promises, as the contractors are now set to begin the renovation of the road.”

    “I thank the governor for his intervention in Lagos, for what he has been doing in Imo State, and for what he will continue to do after the election. So, Imolites, go out there, vote wisely, and don’t be deceived.”

    The cleric praised of Uzodimma for his leadership, vision, and achievements underscores the momentum and support that the governor’s reelection campaign is building.

  • Imo Polls: ‘ Uzodimma committed to Charter of Equity deal’

    A group, the Ndi Imo Defenders, has described as wicked and malicious the call by the candidates of the opposition parties that Governor Hope Uzodinma should drop his re-election bid for candidates from the Owerri Zone ahead of the November 11 election.

    The President of the group, Stan Ezugu, said in a statement that such a call was capable of truncating the Imo Charter of Equity among the elders and stakeholders of the state,.

    He said the charter stipulates that the slot should rotate among the three senatorial zones of Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri for eight years each.

    The group reminded the candidates that the Imo Elders’ Council had urged other contestants for  governor to allow Uzodimma to complete Orlu Zone’s eight-year tenure, after which Owerri Zone will take over.

    Ezugu said the Imo State Charter of Equity is a political agreement that aims to ensure fair and balanced representation in the governance of the state.

    He added that this charter holds significant importance for the state’s political stability, unity, and the overall well-being of its diverse population, and any person or group of persons should not be allowed to truncate the novel policy.

    He said that rather than scapegoating him, Governor Uzodimma should be commended for supporting the charter of equity, stating that it was the best declaration considering that such an arrangement had eluded the state for several years.

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    He said the Imolites must support Governor Uzodimma’s second term so that the charter of equity could be streamlined and bring development to the state.

    “The Imo State Charter of Equity plays a crucial role in promoting fairness, unity, stability, and development within the state. By adhering to the principles of the charter, Imo State can harness the collective potential of its diverse population and work towards a more prosperous and harmonious future, and we strongly believe the potential this policy holds should not be allowed to be eroded by the greed of a group of people who don’t value the prosperity of Ndi Imo.

    “The charter has provided a clear part for stability; the governor has stated clearly that he is committed to this arrangement, and that is why you will not see any candidate from the Orlu zone contesting for the governorship in 2027. It has been agreed that it will be the turn of the Owerri zone. The process will be streamlined so that the contest will be limited to a particular zone and political parties will only need to produce their candidates from that zone, and we are not going to have this rancour and lamentation of marginalisation again. This is an arrangement that should have been put in place a long time ago, and we have to commend Governor Uzodinma for endorsing the initiative by the Elders Council,” he said.

    The group has also said Governor Uzodimma’s administration has not shown any form of lopsidedness in the appointments and distribution of developmental amenities such as health, education, and road infrastructure, among others.

    “Uzodimma has pursued his shared prosperity agenda with vigour and equity; we have seen his signature all over the state in terms of infrastructure and project distribution. He cannot be seen to have favoured one zone ahead of others, not only in terms of projects but appointments too,” he said.

  • Imo Polls: ‘ Uzodimma committed to Charter of Equity deal’

    Imo Polls: ‘ Uzodimma committed to Charter of Equity deal’

    A group, the Ndi Imo Defenders, has described as wicked and malicious the call by the candidates of the opposition parties that Governor Hope Uzodinma should drop his re-election bid for candidates from the Owerri Zone ahead of the November 11 election.

    The President of the group, Stan Ezugu, said in a statement that such a call was capable of truncating the Imo Charter of Equity among the elders and stakeholders of the state,.

    He said the charter stipulates that the slot should rotate among the three senatorial zones of Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri for eight years each.

    The group reminded the candidates that the Imo Elders’ Council had urged other contestants for  governor to allow Uzodimma to complete Orlu Zone’s eight-year tenure, after which Owerri Zone will take over.

    Ezugu said the Imo State Charter of Equity is a political agreement that aims to ensure fair and balanced representation in the governance of the state.

    He added that this charter holds significant importance for the state’s political stability, unity, and the overall well-being of its diverse population, and any person or group of persons should not be allowed to truncate the novel policy.

    He said that rather than scapegoating him, Governor Uzodimma should be commended for supporting the charter of equity, stating that it was the best declaration considering that such an arrangement had eluded the state for several years.

    He said the Imolites must support Governor Uzodimma’s second term so that the charter of equity could be streamlined and bring development to the state.

    “The Imo State Charter of Equity plays a crucial role in promoting fairness, unity, stability, and development within the state. By adhering to the principles of the charter, Imo State can harness the collective potential of its diverse population and work towards a more prosperous and harmonious future, and we strongly believe the potential this policy holds should not be allowed to be eroded by the greed of a group of people who don’t value the prosperity of Ndi Imo.

    Read Also: Uzodimma builds multi-billion naira hospital for Ohaji-Egbema communities

    “The charter has provided a clear part for stability; the governor has stated clearly that he is committed to this arrangement, and that is why you will not see any candidate from the Orlu zone contesting for the governorship in 2027. It has been agreed that it will be the turn of the Owerri zone. The process will be streamlined so that the contest will be limited to a particular zone and political parties will only need to produce their candidates from that zone, and we are not going to have this rancour and lamentation of marginalisation again. This is an arrangement that should have been put in place a long time ago, and we have to commend Governor Uzodinma for endorsing the initiative by the Elders Council,” he said.

    The group has also said Governor Uzodimma’s administration has not shown any form of lopsidedness in the appointments and distribution of developmental amenities such as health, education, and road infrastructure, among others.

    “Uzodimma has pursued his shared prosperity agenda with vigour and equity; we have seen his signature all over the state in terms of infrastructure and project distribution. He cannot be seen to have favoured one zone ahead of others, not only in terms of projects but appointments too,” he said.

  • ‘Uzodimma has restored hope in health sector’

    ‘Uzodimma has restored hope in health sector’

    A group, the Alliance for Medical Action (AMA), has lauded the performance of Governor Hope Uzodimma for lifting the health sector in Imo State in the last three and half years.

    The group said the governor’s efforts have helped to improve the state’s healthcare infrastructure, accessibility and the well-being of the residents.

    AMA President, Dr. Chisom Ezeh, said Governor Uzodimma has made significant strides in revitalizing the healthcare sector since taking office. This, he added, has earned the governor’s admiration of stakeholders because it is a demonstration of his commitment to the well-being of the people.

    One of the standout achievements that drew praise from the group is the governor’s remarkable investment in healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Ezeh said Uzodimma invested heavily in primary healthcare delivery through the upgrading of infrastructure.

    She said medical professionals are pleased that Uzodimma renovated over 305 health centres in the 305 electoral wards across the state and that this has enhanced access and availability of vital services for residents of rural and urban communities.

    Dr Ezeh said the governor’s dedication to the healthcare sector extends to a comprehensive approach to addressing critical healthcare needs. She added that, through a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the governor created and implemented the Imo Health Insurance Programme.

    She added: “This has enabled over 66,000 Imo residents to obtain healthcare protection. A new Ministry of Health Insurance was even established to drive the agenda.  Governor Uzodimma’s contributions to health insurance, healthcare funding, and initiatives signify a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to healthcare delivery.”

    The AMA boss said that in investing in human capital, the governor’s administration has put significant emphasis on healthcare workforce development. She added: “One major area of remarkable achievement in the health sector is the re-accreditation of nursing and midwifery schools in Aboh Mbaise and Awommama after they lost accreditation in 2011.

    Read Also: Uzodimma builds multi-billion naira hospital for Ohaji-Egbema communities

    “Another one is the fact that more than 300 medical students have graduated from the Imo State University Teaching Hospital after a decade of non-accreditation. We are pleased that the teaching hospital is now fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, including digital x-ray machines, mammogram machines, ambulances, dialysis machines, molecular biology and chemical pathology laboratory, equipment(for COVID-19 and other viral disease tests) and anaesthetic machines.

    “The Imo State Specialist Hospital in Owerri is now fully functional and performing complicated operations such as spinal and brain injury surgeries. It is also important to stress that to optimize healthcare service delivery across the state the Governor has procured 10 mobile clinics for speedy intervention at the primary level.

    “These are remarkable achievements of this administration in our sector and that is why we are throwing our weight behind Governor Uzodimma’s re-election bid. He has done well and deserves another term and we know that Ndi Imo will line up behind him to complete the good job he has started.”

  • ‘Uzodimma committed to Charter of Equity deal’

    ‘Uzodimma committed to Charter of Equity deal’

    A socio-cultural group, the Ndi Imo Defenders, has described as wicked and malicious the call by the candidates of the opposition parties that Governor Hope Uzodimma should drop his re-election bid for contestants from the Owerri Zone ahead of the November 11 governorship election.

    The group’s President, Stan Ezugu, said in a  statement last weekend  that such a call could truncate  the agreed Imo Charter of Equity among the elders and stakeholders of the state, which stipulates that the governorship of the state will rotate among the three senatorial zones of Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri for eight years each.

    The group reminded the candidates that the Imo Elders’ Council, in the policy statement, had urged other contestants for the governorship position in the November 2023 election to allow Uzodimma to complete Orlu Zone’s eight-year tenure, after which Owerri Zone will take over for seamless running of the policy.

    Read Also: I won’t disappoint your expectations, Uzodimma tells Owerri leaders

    Ezugu said the Imo State Charter of Equity is a political agreement that aims to ensure fair and balanced representation in the governance of the state.

    He added that this charter holds significant importance for the state’s political stability, unity, and the overall well-being of its diverse population, and any person or group of persons should not be allowed to truncate the novel policy.

    He said that rather than scapegoating him,  the governor should be commended for supporting the charter of equity, stating that it was the best declaration considering that such an arrangement had eluded the state for several years.

    He said the Imolites must support Uzodimma’s second term so that the charter of equity could be streamlined and bring development to the state.

  • I won’t disappoint your expectations, Uzodimma tells Owerri leaders

    I won’t disappoint your expectations, Uzodimma tells Owerri leaders

    Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has assured the leaders of Owerri zone that he would not disappoint their expectations as far as implementation of the Charter of Equity is concerned.

    He said: “I will enforce it. I won’t disappoint your expectations.”

    He also expressed delight over the cordial relationship existing between the leaders of the autonomous communities in Owerri, saying their desire to come together in the interest of their area will make his work easy for him.

    Governor Uzodimma spoke when he met with leaders from Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Ikeduru and Mbaitoli local government areas of the State at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chamber and at Agbala respectively.

    The leaders from Owerri North, Owerri North, Ikeduru and Mbaitoli were led to the meeting, among others by APC chieftains – Chief Charles Amadi, Chief Henry Amadi and Dr. Macdonald Ebere – who brought some of their leaders, hitherto core opponents of the APC, to plead loyalty to Governor Uzodimma.

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    Governor Uzodimma commended them for uniting “to see the light” and “joining in the positive move to a peaceful transition of power in the State from one zone to the other.”

    He said that “politics is about reciprocity” and that “the activities of Owerri Federal Constituency in the recent days are in tandem with the foremost document of Imo Charter of Equity which is the only way of getting power peacefully anywhere in the world.”

    At the Central School Agbala field where Nzuko Owerre General Assembly made up of 47 autonomous communities in the Owerri Federal Constituency of Owerri North, Owerri West and Owerri Municipal came together to support and endorse the Governor for a second term in office.

    They also unanimously upheld the Imo Charter of Equity as the best way for Owerri zone to produce the next governor of Imo State by 2027.

    In an address read by the National President of Nzuko Owerri, Hon. Dan Ikpeazu, they commended the elders of Imo State for drafting the Charter of Equity, saying it is a solution to the rancour and bickering that have attended to the leadership and power transition in the State over time.”

    Ikpeazu said the meeting is non-political and that all the communities are united in making the Charter of Equity a success and “to leverage on the opportunity offered by the Charter of Equity to position Owerri federal constituency for legitimate claim to power any time soon.”

    They noted that Governor Uzodimma has good intentions for Owerri Federal Constituency considering the number of infrastructure the area has benefitted from since his assumption of office.

    They used the opportunity to call on their sons and daughters to come out en mass on November 11, 2023, and ensure that Governor Uzodimma is voted maximally in their respective polling units.

    They noted that they cannot achieve their developmental goals if they continue to appear hostile to any administration.

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prince Lemmy Akakem welcomed the governor and his entourage and expressed gratitude to the Governor for his benevolence to Owerri Federal Constituency, saying that he is not only their Governor but a friend of the Constituency.

    He told the audience that the governor has done so much for them in the areas of infrastructure and political appointments and that he has a heart of humility and passion for Owerri people and promised that they will reciprocate his kind gesture through the polls on November 11.

    Unanimously, the leaders of the Federal Constituency who spoke – Hon. Ernest Ibejiakor, Hon. Noble Atulegwu, MacDonald Ebere and Sir Jude Ejiogu- all agreed that come November 1, the Governor will be re-elected and that Owerri will show that they are ready to take over by the number of votes that will be counted and credited to the zone in support of the Governor.

    At the meeting with the leaders from Owerri North, Owerri Municipal, Ikeduru and Mbaitoli in Government House, those in attendance spoke with one voice – to get their different communities to cast their ballot for the Governor in such a way that he would be glad.

  • Uzodimma builds multi-billion naira hospital for Ohaji-Egbema communities

    Uzodimma builds multi-billion naira hospital for Ohaji-Egbema communities

    Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has built a multi-billion 42-bed General Hospital for indigenes of Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.

    The hospital which was handed over to the Anglican Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema to manage was built by the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) with the 13 percent derivation fund to cater to the health needs of the people in the council area.

    Speaking at the ceremony held at the hospital’s premises, the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Success Ohayagha, said that the hospital was built to take care of the health needs of people around the area.

    He also stated that the governor, Hope Uzodimma, deemed it wise to hand over the hospital to the church because they have the ‘oil and anointing’ to manage it.

     “The management of this kind of project needs someone very humane, truthful, and plain. If this project is left in the hands of serving people, the value would not get to the targeted persons.

    The Commissioner said, ” The Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has decided to pay the salaries of workers for one year and thereafter hand over the responsibility to the Anglican Church.

    “After inspecting the hospital, he said he was impressed with the quality facilities he saw in the hospital adding that if it is well managed, it would become a referral centre in the Southeast part of Nigeria.”

    Responding, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema, Rt. Rev. Chidi Collins Okparaojiaku, expressed joy over Sen. Hope Uzodimma’s kind gestures.

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    “The governor even promised to pay workers of this hospital for one year and leave it for us. We are really impressed with the governor’s project. It is our promise that it would not die in our hands.

    “We have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), we are going to kick- off with a dedication service of the hospital and thereafter, we will recruit workers,” he said.

    The Bishop disclosed that the Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema would conduct interviews for those that applied to work in the hospital, assuring that only shortlisted ones would be employed by the hospital.

    He urged the youths to protect the facilities and not allow it to go the way of other projects in the area that were vandalised.

    Speaking, the traditional ruler, Umuokanne/Abakuru Autonomous Community, His Royal Highness, Eze Matthew Nwokoma, said:

    “This is the first time a governor would build such a well-equipped hospital for the oil communities.”

  • Why people will vote for me, by Uzodimma

    Why people will vote for me, by Uzodimma

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said the people will demonstrate their love and support for his administration by re-electing him.

    The governor said his unprecedented achievements anchored on his shared prosperity agenda have endeared him to the people, adding that no amount of propaganda by the opposition parties can change the profound love.

    He said the overwhelming votes given to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last House of Assembly election were a resounding vote of confidence in his government in the last three years.

    The governor expressed confidence that Imolites will again demonstrate their unflinching support for him   on November 11.

    He added that his government initiated and successfully executed infrastructure development projects, such as road construction and other essential facilities, stimulating economic growth and creating jobs, which have led to improvements in the daily lives of the people.

    He said: “Our people know the leaders that really love them; they know that we have served them meritoriously in the last three years, and we are happy that our people are also very appreciative of what we have done, just as they demonstrated during the last election. Those who still think we aren’t overwhelmingly popular are amnesiacs, because we wonder why they quickly forgot how our people gave us a landslide victory in an election conducted a few months ago.

    “Our infrastructural development, particularly our road revolution, has been the key factor that has set us apart and won the hearts of Imo people. The massive electoral support they gave us in March is a clear indication that the people of Imo have wholeheartedly embraced our efforts. The overwhelming and unprecedented support is a vote of confidence in my government’s achievements over the last three years, which is both fulfilling and a call for us to redouble our efforts towards more projects and greater dedication to duty.”

    Read Also: Imo: We’ll re-elect Uzodimma, say Okigwe women

     “We operate a government that is open and transparent; we engage and connect with our people on a regular basis by rendering reports of our stewardship to them.

    “We are committed to doing more for our people, and they are ready to revalidate our mandate to continue to serve them.”

     The Governor chided the national leadership of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party for insinuating that the PDP could upstage the APC in Imo, describing the party as contesting the election ‘only for relevance’ as the APC remains the only formidable party in the state.

    “It is obvious the PDP is suffering from delusional grandeur; how a drowning party like that thinks our people are with them beats my imagination. APC, through my administration’s achievements, has endeared itself to our people with numerous projects; that is our selling point! We are confident the Imolites will come out and vote for us en masse so that we can consolidate on our shared prosperity agenda that gives hope to our people,” he said.