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  • Southeast monarchs appoint Uzodimma as Coordinator

    Southeast monarchs appoint Uzodimma as Coordinator

    Traditional rulers from the Southern part of Nigeria under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council have appointed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as their Coordinator.

    They noted that the governor has done so much to advance their course as leaders of communities in Nigeria and in fostering unity among them.

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    The letter appointing Governor Uzodimma as their Coordinator was presented to him in his office in Owerri by the Chairman of Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, his Co- Chairman, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and the Secretary, the Dein of Agbor, HRM Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagboruzi

  • Monarchs appoint Uzodimma coordinator

    Monarchs appoint Uzodimma coordinator

    Traditional rulers in the South, under the aegis of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, have appointed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as their Coordinator.

    They said the governor has done so much to advance their course as leaders of communities in Nigeria and in fostering unity among them.

    The letter appointing Governor Uzodimma as the monarchs’ coordinator was presented to him yesterday in his office in Owerri by the Chairman of Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, the Ooni of Ife,  Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

    The chairman was accompanied by his Co- Chairman, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and the Secretary, the Dein of Agbor, Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagboruzi I.

    The trio were accompanied by their brother monarchs from the South, whyo are all members of Technical Committee of the body.

    The Ooni, who said members of the Technical Committee were in Owerri to consider issues around the association’s forthcoming general meeting, applauded the governor’s role at ensuring that monarchs are given their pride of place in the running of the affairs of the country, politically, culturally and traditionally.

    He said after careful evaluation of such roles, the monarchs collectively agreed that Governor Uzodimma is the most suitable to coordinate their affairs in the interest of not just the people of Southern Nigeria but the country as a whole.

    The OOni reminded the governor that their next general meeting will be held in Ogun State, and that the Chairman of Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Dapo Abiodun, had agreed to host the meeting.

    Governor Uzodimma hosted the maiden edition of the assembly in Owerri.

    Read Also: Democracy, good governance key to tackling Africa’s insecurity, says Uzodimma

    Oba Ogunwusi said the visit was not just to communicate the appointment to the governor but to brief him on the forthcoming meeting.

    Recognising the pivotal role the governor plays in the current political dispensation in the country, as well as the listening ear he enjoys with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the monarchs gave him a letter seeking an audience with Mr. President.

    Responding, Uzodimma said he was humbled by the accolades from the traditional rulers and promised not to disappoint them in his duty as their coordinator.

    The governor reiterated the important role the traditional institution plays in society and urged the monarchs as custodians of the traditional institution to brace up to do the same in Nigeria.

    He promised to liaise with his Ogun State counterpart on their forthcoming meeting in the Southwest state, assuring them that their message to Mr. President would be delivered to him.

  • Imo Assembly lauds Uzodimma for establishing new university 

    Imo Assembly lauds Uzodimma for establishing new university 

    The Imo House of Assembly has commended the Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for the establishment of Imo University of Science, Innovation and Technology, Omuma

    The House said this following a motion by the Chief Whip, Mr Chigozie Nwaneri (APC-Oru East), during a plenary session on Thursday in Owerri.

    Nwaneri, while presenting the motion, described university as the best legacy by any government to secure the future of its teeming children as well as the “fulcrum of children’s foundation in life.”

    He commended the “selfless determination and singular efforts of Uzodimma to reposition the education sector with not only the provision of basic education infrastructure and other facilities but establishment new tertiary institutions.”

    He said that the university that had been approved by the National Universities Commission (UNC) was the new route for development worldwide.

    He added that the institution would push the state to the pinnacle of science, innovation, and technology and provide opportunities for research, training, and development globally.

    He urged the House to name Uzodimma as the most education friendly governor in Nigeria for securing the necessary approval and recognition by the NUC.

    Read Also: Democracy, good governance key to tackling Africa’s insecurity, says Uzodimma

    Mr Uba Esile, (APC-Onuimo), described education as the bedrock for development and commended Uzodimma for his efforts to improve the education sector.

    The Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West) and Mr Chisom Ojikwu, (APC-Nkwere)  said the recently established university would help the state greatly.

    He also called for an award to be presented to the governor to encourage other state governors.

    The Deputy Speaker, Mr Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), who presided, directed the Clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the Office of the Governor.

    (NAN)

  • Democracy, good governance key to tackling Africa’s insecurity, says Uzodimma

    Democracy, good governance key to tackling Africa’s insecurity, says Uzodimma

    • Imo governor urges other leaders to emulate Tinubu

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said democracy and good governance are the panacea for tackling the protracted security challenges bedeviling African nations.

    He argued that democracy begets good governance, which in turn begets quality health care, effective education, and gainful employment for the citizens.

    The governor noted that when good governance thrives, the conditions that encourage insecurity will diminish.

    Uzodimma said this yesterday in Abuja as the keynote lecturer while addressing the participants of the Executive Intelligence  Management Course (EIMC) 18, at the National Institute for Security Studies.

    The governor urged African leaders to adopt the model of good governance practices evident in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

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    He said this has significantly brought down the disruptive activities of non-state actors across the country.

    Uzodimma explained that the model involves the government not leaving any void for non-state actors to exploit and wreak havoc on the nation.

    The governor, who spoke on the topic: Non-State Actors and Entrepreneurship Development in Africa, noted that African leaders must embrace democracy and good governance to defeat insecurity.

    “Non-state actors, both constructive and destructive, thrive in spaces where the state is absent or ineffective. The more capable the state, the less space exists for malign actors to operate,” he said.

    The governor said President Tinubu had long discovered the strategy, which had resulted in the progress the nation is making in combating insurgency and banditry.

    He said: “African nations must embrace good governance because it delivers education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and justice, the very foundations that deny disruptive non-state actors the conditions they need to thrive and flourish “

    Uzodimma stated that with his experience in battling insecurity in Imo State, it had been established that when the government ensures the people have good governance, things become difficult for disruptive non-state actors to make progress.

    The governor announced that as part of the strategy to neutralise disruptive non-state actors, his administration invested in infrastructure across the state and created youth empowerment programmes, skills acquisition centres and entrepreneurship funds to provide alternatives to criminality.

    According to him, the strategy became effective as young people, who were gainfully engaged, did not find criminality lucrative.

    Uzodimma also said his administration provided for communities with essential infrastructure that no longer made them vulnerable to manipulation.

    The governor said it had become imperative for African leaders to explore more effective ways of empowering communities economically to dissuade the people from engaging in acts that compromise security.

    He also urged them to balance containment and engagement in the quest to find a lasting solution to insecurity, insisting that governance and security are inseparable.

    “Military operations create temporary stability. But good governance creates lasting peace. So, we must recognise these facts when weighing the options in containment and engagement,” he stated.

    Uzodimma urged the intelligence community to brace up to the security challenges by understanding that “security is inseparable from governance, economic opportunity and justice”.

    He added: “You must be strategic thinkers who recognise that non-state actors are not anomalies to be eliminated but realities to be managed.”

    The ceremony was attended by intelligence chiefs from different parts of Africa.

  • University Don hails Uzodimma, traditional ruler, for improved security in Imo

    University Don hails Uzodimma, traditional ruler, for improved security in Imo

    Foremost researcher, consultant, and political analyst, Dr. Uche Igwe, has commended the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for the remarkable improvement in security across the state.

    In a statement released in Owerri on Monday, October 27, Dr. Igwe noted a significant reduction in security incidents, particularly in rural communities.

    “I have been visiting several communities across Mbaise in the last few days, and I am impressed at the level of calmness that is prevailing. Security is gradually returning. It is clear that the efforts of the Hope Uzodimma administration are yielding fruits. Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora can now come home and enjoy Christmas without fear. It is not perfect yet, but you can now sleep with your two eyes closed,” he said.

    Dr. Igwe emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between traditional rulers and the state government to sustain the progress made in securing communities.

    He also praised the traditional ruler of Ihitteaforukwu community, His Royal Majesty Eze Dr. O. D. Nwandu, for inaugurating the Royal Guards outfit to maintain peace in his domain.

    According to him, Eze Nwandu’s initiative demonstrates how visionary and responsive traditional leaders can establish community-driven structures that complement government efforts.

    Describing Eze Nwandu as an intelligent and compassionate leader, Dr. Igwe lauded his foresight and commitment to the welfare of his people, noting that his leadership has brought stability and development to Ihitteaforukwu.

    He called on other traditional rulers across Imo State to emulate Eze Nwandu’s example and urged residents of Mbaise to support local initiatives that promote peace and security.

  • Why monarchs deserve constitutional roles, by Uzodimma

    Why monarchs deserve constitutional roles, by Uzodimma

    • Sanwo-Olu: we need their guidance

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has called for legal backing for the roles of traditional rulers.

    He said: “The absence of a constitutional role is a gap that ought to be filled. It is a failure on our part that we have not updated our laws in line with our realities.

    “That is why I believe the time has come to make this right, not necessarily by creating a new role, but by giving legal status to what already exists. It is no different from formalising a long-standing union. The marriage is real. The only thing missing is the certificate.

    “The for constitutional recognition is not a demand for privilege. It is a demand for clarity and for the protection of a role that has survived war, colonisation, military rule, and political instability.”

    The governor spoke at the meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria held at the Hotel Continental on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The theme of the conference presided by the co-chairmen – Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar of Sokoto and Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi – was: “The traditional institution: Imperative of its inclusion in effective and efficient governance in Nigeria.”

    The host, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said political leaders needed the wisdom, experience and guidance of the natural rulers to foster good governance.

    The monarch held the interface with the governors to get their backing for constitutional role as the National Assembly os set to review the 1999 Constitution.

    At the opening session were the host Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), and colleagues – AbdulRaheem AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Monday Okpebholo (Edo) and Bassey Otu (Cross River); Alaafin Akeen Owoade of Oyo, Sheu Elkanemi of Borno, Ayangburen Adewale Shotobi of Ikorodu, Oore Adekunle Adeagbo of Otun’Ekiti, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, Olowo Ajibade Ogunoye of Owo, Akarigbo Ajayi of Remoland, Ewi Rufus Adejugbe of Ado-Ekiti, and Eze Okeke from Imo, who represented Obi Alfred Achebe.

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    Uzodimma, described the traditional institution as one of the Nigerian enduring system, adding that “its custodianship of culture, its ability to mediate disputes, its place in the lives of the people; all make it indispensable to national stability.”

    The governor said whenever the subject matter of cobstitutional roles comes before the National Assembly or requires the support at any level of government, he would stand with the monarchs without hesitation.”

    Sanwo-Olu described traditional institutions as “the vital link” between the government and the people, noting that traditional rulers were the bridge connecting institutions of the state with community realities.

    He said there is need to address the role of traditional institutions in governance, pointing out that traditional structures were respected segments of the country’s leadership system but not officially empowered despite their strong influence.

    Sanwo-Olu said the relevance of traditional institutions diminished during the military incursion in politics, dealing a blow to the traditional institutions.

     He said the military rule significantly eroded the laudable roles traditional rulers had played in shaping the nation and its cherished traditions.

     Sanwo-Olu added: “With the restoration of democracy in the country since 1999, our traditional rulers are gradually asserting themselves back into national consciousness. But we are not yet there. I advise that our traditional rulers continue to push for more constitutionally-backed relevance.

    “This is the right thing to do, and we promise to support this push because we believe we need to tap from the experience and wisdom of our traditional rulers to make more progress.

     “This meeting presents a unique chance to push for clarity; not for the sake of prestige, but for practical reasons. When traditional leaders are clearly woven into our governance framework, their authority can become a valuable asset for fostering peace, resolving conflicts and driving community development. “As our nation grapples with complex social, economic, and security issues, it is crucial that we tap into the wisdom and influence of our royal fathers in a coordinated and structured way.”

     Sanwo-Olu urged the monarchs to be steadfast pillars of integrity, fairness, and unity. He said the communities looked to the traditional institutions not just as cultural symbols, but as moral guides.

  • Uzodimma named workers’ best friend

    Uzodimma named workers’ best friend

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has been named the recipient of the Workers’ Best Friend Award (Pa Michael Imoudu Legacy Category) by the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) in recognition of his labour-friendly policies and contributions to workers’ welfare.

    The award will be presented during LAWAN’s grand event scheduled for Thursday, 27 November 2025, at the Eko Hotel Towers and Suites, Lagos.

    In a statement signed by LAWAN’s Chairman, Toba Agboola, the association said the governor was being honoured for his outstanding record in job creation, industrial peace, community development, and legislative dynamism.

    “We strategically planned to end this year with two grand events. One was our annual conference, which we successfully hosted in Ibadan on 10 October 2025. The second, this upcoming event, is our crown jewel, and we are honouring the Executive Governor of Imo State, HE Hope Uzodimma, with the Workers’ Best Friend Award (Pa Michael Imoudu Legacy Category),” he said.

    According to LAWAN, Uzodimma earned the honour for his voluntary decision to pay the N104,000 minimum wage in the country, as well as for increasing the salaries of doctors from N215,000 to N503,000 and lecturers in tertiary institutions from N119,000 to N222,000.

    The association also announced that Senator Chinedu Nwoko will receive the Monument of Excellence Award (Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Legacy Category) for his contributions to job creation, transcontinental legal practice, and community development.

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    Other recipients include Chief Executive Officer of Prezzo Shed Investments Ltd, Ambassador Emma Njoku, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Bright Global Resources Ltd, Bright Alozie.

    According to LAWAN, both men are: “distinguished entrepreneurs who are using their vast wealth, via their foundations, to give hope and meaning to countless people and numerous communities across the South East and South-South geopolitical zones.

    “Their areas of interest include micro credit schemes, rural empowerment projects, educational endowment, and investments in infrastructure, among others.”

    The Association explained that the awards were designed to celebrate excellence and inspire others in both public and private sectors to contribute meaningfully to national development.

    “The awards are to honour those to whom honour is due, and to challenge those in the public space, be they elected, appointed, or even in their private capacities, to do more in making lives more meaningful for the ordinary Nigerian.”

  • Tinubu, governors, APC chiefs in Imo for Uzodimma’s book

    Tinubu, governors, APC chiefs in Imo for Uzodimma’s book

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today present the book “A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance In  Nigeria” written by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma in Owerri.

    The President is on a one-day visit to the “Heartland of the Southeast”.

    Governors, business leaders, senior figures of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and many influential Nigerians are expected in the Imo State capital for the event.

    Other assignments of the President include inauguration of key developmental projects undertaken by Governor Uzodimma, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and a major ally of the President.

    Among the projects are roads,  the iconic Assumpta Flyover, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, venue of the book presentation.

    The book is to showcase the achievements of the APC led federal government in the last 10 years – spanning the eight-year tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and two years of President Tinubu.

    Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba told reporters that APC governors were expected to give solidarity to their chairman.

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    According to him, the APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, will lead the National Working Committee of the party as well as the state chairmen to the event.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife and the Obi of Onitsha will lead revered Nigerian traditional leaders to Owerri while the Chairman of Imo State Council of Ndi Eze ,Eze Godwin Okeke will be on hand to receive them.

    He said captains of industry, academia, labour leaders, market women, and students will also attend the ceremony as a reflection of the broad acceptance of the author by a  spectrum of the Nigerian society.

    He explained that security agencies are fully prepared to guarantee the security of the lives of guests before, during, and after the ceremony.

    Emelumba enjoined Imo citizens to troop out in their numbers to welcome President Tinubu and accord the guests the famed hospitality of the people of the state.

  • Uzodimma leads Tinubu into heartland of Igbo nation

    Uzodimma leads Tinubu into heartland of Igbo nation

    By Sunday Dare

    Tomorrow, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will journey eastward, to Owerri, the beating heart of the Igbo nation. If Kaduna reinforced President Tinubu’s  northern support base and acceptance, and Ibadan reaffirmed his Yoruba roots, then Owerri embodies his embrace of the Igbo, a people of unmatched resilience, intellect, and industry.

    Into this crucible of identity, commerce, and culture, the President will arrive, guided by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to launch a book in his honor and to reassure his Igbo kin of their central place in President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria.

    Owerri: The Pulse of Igbo Identity

    Owerri is no ordinary city. Known as the “Eastern Heartland,” it has long been the political and cultural meeting point of the Igbo nation. Its landmarks tell the story: Assumpta Cathedral, the majestic seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, towering as a spiritual anchor for millions; Freedom Square, the civic stage where public life and collective expression find voice.

    Owerri’s history also carries scars and triumphs. During the Nigerian Civil War, it was the last capital of the disputed Biafra before the guns fell silent in 1970. Out of that crucible of strife  and resilience, Owerri emerged as a city determined never to lose its spirit. Today, its bustling streets and vibrant economy stand as a testament to the Igbo will to endure, rebuild, and flourish.

    The city has given Nigeria some of its finest icons like Emmanuel Amunike of the Super Eagles, while the State itself,  has produced titans such as Raymond Njoku, nationalist and statesman; the “man of timber and caliber,” K.O. Mbadiwe; Sam Mbakwe, the “weeping governor” whose vision still inspires; Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, business mogul and philanthropist; Arthur Nzeribe, political tactician; and Onyeka Onwenu, the songbird of Africa. Each name reflects Imo’s dynamism and genius.

    A City of Culture and Learning

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    Owerri is also famed for its vibrant arts and cultural scene. Its social centres, music houses, and annual festivals keep alive the Igbo spirit of performance and storytelling. The city pulses with highlife rhythms, contemporary music, and theatre, making it a creative hub in South East Nigeria.

    Uzodimma’s unmatched strides in the digital economy, which have become his defining legacy, setting him apart from his predecessors.

    In redefining youth empowerment for the digital age, the Governor has replaced handouts with codes — transforming young people from seekers of aid to creators of opportunity through the SkillUpImo programme, where over 40,000 youths have been trained and equipped with digital tools for the future.

    This marriage of scholarship and creativity makes Owerri not just the Igbo heartland, but also one of Nigeria’s most forward-looking cities where tradition, intellect, and innovation coexist.

    Tinubu and the Igbo: A History of Respect

    For President Tinubu, Owerri is not uncharted territory. As Governor of Lagos, he set a tone of inclusivity by appointing Igbo sons and daughters into his cabinet, entrusting them with critical portfolios. It was a powerful gesture of accommodation that affirmed his belief that governance is strongest when diversity is embraced.

    As President, he has extended the same spirit nationwide. His administration has prioritized major infrastructure in the South East: completing the Second Niger Bridge; rehabilitating the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway; upgrading federal roads linking Imo to its neighbors; and supporting industrial corridors that promise jobs and growth. These are not token gestures, but commitments to root Igbo aspirations firmly within Nigeria’s shared progress.

    Uzodimma as Guide and Host

    Governor Hope Uzodimma has transformed Imo’s landscape and will host the President as both ally and son of the soil. Under his watch, road construction and expansion projects, modern drainage systems, streetlights, the Orashi free trade zone that has attracted more than seven oil and gas companies in the state and urban renewal initiatives have reshaped Owerri’s aesthetics and improved mobility.

    He has also pushed agricultural reforms: subsidies for inputs, mechanization programs, and farmer support initiatives that have boosted food security and lifted rural livelihoods. These achievements speak of a leader intent on marrying infrastructure with human development.

    In a nation where leadership is not bestowed or handed on a platter, but painstakingly earned, Governor Hope Uzodimma has carved his niche in the annals of Nigerian Governance through hardwork, diligence, tenacity, tact, and a people-centric disposition.

    He represents the new breed — futuristic thinkers, bold and Savvy minds. Uzodimma is a  steady valve in the heart of the Igbo nation. Pressed on all sides by challenges and critics, yet steadfast in service and progressive politics, he has become the new face of Igbo leadership, reconnecting the South East to the National through hhis dear state, the motherland of Igbo pride.

    The Significance of the Moment

    Owerri is more than a city; it is memory and meaning. It remembers the tears of war, yet it thrives as a hub of culture, education, and enterprise. By coming here, President Tinubu sends a message: the Igbo are not at the periphery of Nigeria’s destiny, but central to it.

    If Kaduna symbolized Northern Nigeria’s decision-making nerve, and Ibadan embodied Yoruba heritage and ascendancy, then Owerri represents the Igbo crucible, a place of valor and rebirth, of icons and institutions, of faith, culture, and resilience.

    Beneath the shadow of Assumpta Cathedral, within the energy of Freedom Square, and in the rhythm of its creative life, the President will not only launch a book, but also reaffirm his pact with the Igbo nation as kith, as kin, and as indispensable partners in building a stronger Nigeria.

    •Dare is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communications

  • Uzodimma urges attitude change ahead of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary

    Uzodimma urges attitude change ahead of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called on Nigerians to embrace a change of attitude as the country prepares to mark its 65th Independence Anniversary.

    Speaking on Sunday, September 28, 2025, during the interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, Uzodimma said the anniversary offers citizens an opportunity to reflect on the past and adopt new approaches for national progress.

    He stressed the need to harness the nation’s abundant natural resources productively to drive economic recovery and improve livelihoods.

    “Nigeria is richly blessed with natural resources yearning for productive utilization for economic recovery and livelihood. We must sit back and review our situation, understand where we are coming from, where we are, and agree on where we are going,” he said.

    The governor emphasized that “a lot of things must change, particularly our own way of doing things,” warning against idleness. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. A busy mind is a productive mind,” he added.

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    Uzodimma also announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will visit Imo State on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to commission the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, the new twin flyover at Assumpta Roundabout, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIIC).

    He urged residents to turn out in large numbers to welcome the President and his entourage.

    Earlier in his homily, Monsignor John Iwe, representing Bishop Solomon Amatu of Okigwe Diocese, urged Nigerians and their leaders to show compassion to the vulnerable, stressing that true love for God is demonstrated through love for one’s neighbour.