Tag: Uzodimma

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called on Nigerians to express gratitude to God as the nation marks 64 years of independence, emphasising that the country’s brightest days are still ahead.

Uzodimma highlighted that Nigeria’s journey is one of hope and faith in God, urging citizens to offer collective prayers for the country and its leaders to achieve the nation of their dreams.

Speaking after the Independence Day Church Service at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, on Sunday, the governor thanked God for allowing Nigerians to celebrate their independence in an atmosphere of relative peace and unity, noting, “Nigeria is a nation whose God is Lord.”

He said that despite all the perceived challenges from different parts of the country, ‘’Nigeria has not been confronted with full-blown war.’’

He recalled, for instance, the recent flooding that devastated our brothers and sisters in some parts of the Country as that of great challenge to the country but noted that “with God all things are possible.”

The governor said Nigerians have three good reasons to praise God today after 64 years of Independence God, adding that “there is the gift of life for Nigerians to stay together as brothers and sisters and finally, Nigeria has experienced relative peace that prevails in our land despite all challenges.”

The Governor then urged Nigerians to give thanks to God in all circumstances and move away from “lamentation to celebration and from dismay to hope.”

He seized the opportunity to express the people’s deep appreciation of the work the Church is doing for the Nation and implored the Church leaders to continue to pray for Nigeria and Imo State.

“The past and present leadership may have fallen short of expectations of the people, yet there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” he said and called for prayers for the Nation to continue to remain peaceful and united.

His words: “With unity and faith the country will get to her destination.”

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Uzodimma however urged the citizens to interrogate their consciences and attitudes when it comes to the destruction of Government property, killing of security agents and frustrating government policies, noting that “patriotism and nationhood abhor all that.”

The governor promised to continue with the payment of gratuities following the request by the Catholic Bishop but implored the Bishop and his lieutenants to pray that those involved in despicable and fraudulent behaviour which hurt the seamless verification exercise on gratuity should refrain from such.

Earlier in his message, His Grace Most Revd. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, had acknowledged that God is with Nigerians, having kept us together as a Nation despite all challenges.

He said: “It is not a surprise that Nigeria has remained one,” noting that “the journey is not easy but with God, tomorrow will be better.”

While wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Celebration, the Archbishop whose message was read by the Very Rev. Fr. Gerald Njoku, the Director of Church and Society commended the Governor and Government of Imo State for “maintaining peace, fighting insecurity among others.

He also thanked the Governor for adding 3,000 more workers whose salaries were suspended at the beginning of the administration into the payroll and for the timely payment of their salaries and requested that the Governor continue with the payment of gratuities for the pensioners who are yet to receive theirs.

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called for collective efforts to strengthen measures put in place by the federal government to stabilise the nation’s economy.

The governor commended the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) for raising public awareness of fiscal practices and encouraging citizens to take advantage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

He noted that the federal government conscious of the prevailing worrisome economic climate had taken some bold steps to chart a new course for speedy revival of the economy.

“We must all support the federal government’s initiatives to revive the economy,” Uzodimma said.

The governor made the call when he declared open a 2-day retreat on “Fiscal Responsibility of Sub-nationals and Civil Society Organisations organised by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday.

Governor Uzodimma expressed delight that the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, has successfully met its challenges. “The FRC has not only raised significant public awareness about fiscal practices but also encouraged citizens to take advantage of Section 51 of the FRA 2007, promoting enforcement of the Act.”

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The governor disclosed that his administration had since commenced the implementation of many economic reforms in the state to empower the youths while digitalising the payroll of pensions and civil servants to eliminate financial malpractices and the ghost workers syndrome in the state civil service.

He added that the mantra of his administration anchored on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery (3Rs) had given birth to continued rehabilitation of dilapidated roads, regular payment of salaries, and sustained onslaught against corruption.

Represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Chuks Chukwuemeka, the governor hailed the theme of the retreat “Fostering Fiscal Accountability sub-Nationals and Civil Society collaboration” as timely and appropriate, even as he commended the organisers of the retreat for choosing the state for the exercise, and gave an assurance that his administration would continue to align herself with the worthy mission of the FRC.

“Once more I wish to commend the organisers for choosing Imo for this event. The state is safe and will continue to be safe for individuals, and organisations wishing to transact their legitimate businesses. Please ignore always ignore rumours of insecurity in Imo because it is the handwork of those who cry wolf where there is none.”

In a lecture entitled “Fostering Fiscal Discipline; Innovative Practices for sub-Nationals Governments”, the Federal Commissioner, National Population  Commission (NPC), Professor  Uba Nnabue,  dwelling extensively on the contextual import of Fiscal Responsibility, sub-national Governments and Fiscal Discipline, dismissed economic growth devoid of human welfare and happiness as a sham.

The professor of law noted that while nations and subnationals embark on democratisation as a journey towards the attainment of freedom, stability, peace, and development, Nigeria as a nation “is still grappling with these ideals,” stressing that every effort should be made to restore these ideals.

He also emphasized the need to eschew the imposition of candidates who are not the popular choice of the people by political parties.

“Everything about rigging in elections, thuggery, and desperation for power, and election malpractices must be abandoned. Corruption, violence and dirty politics which scare away responsible citizens from politics and pave the way for wrong persons to assume political offices and leadership must be avoided”, he warned.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden passing of Galaxy Television Correspondent in Imo State, Ajibade Awofeso, who died in Lagos at the age of 40.

In a personally signed statement, Governor Uzodimma praised Awofeso as a dedicated, hardworking, and God-fearing journalist who adhered to the highest ethical standards of his profession.

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He extended heartfelt condolences to Awofeso’s family, including his wife, elderly mother, and dependents.

The governor also sympathized with the Awofeso and Nwaiwu families, the media community, particularly the Imo State Correspondent Chapel, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and all friends and associates of the late journalist.

Governor Uzodimma prayed for eternal rest for the soul of Ajibade Awofeso, whose sudden demise has left a huge gap in the media profession.

The late Awofeso’s death has sent shockwaves through the journalism community in Imo State and beyond, with many colleagues and associates paying tribute to his dedication and professionalism.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for his alleged inaction in the face of rising insecurity in the state.

The party accused Uzodimma of not being proactive in addressing the killings and violence that have claimed numerous lives in Imo.

The PDP’s criticism comes on the heels of the recent attacks by yet to be identified gunmen at the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area headquarters of the state where two security personnel were killed last Tuesday.

The party also condemned the razing of Obowo LGA Divisional Police Headquarters, as well as the killing of a policeman in his house near NEPA junction in Umulogho community, also in the council area the same day.

In a press statement by its State publicity secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, the party said, “Our party maintains that the continuous mindless attacks on public facilities and the killing of innocent citizens are unjustifiable and have no place in our culture and nationhood.

“We commiserate with the families and friends of the victims and, indeed, all Imolites who have been thrown into deep sorrow and anguish.”

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The party regretted that no mitigation was in place to checkmate the incessant attacks in the state, saying that the APC-led government of Hope Uzodimma should wake up to the occasion and stop what it described as inactive and indifferent to what is happening in the state.

The PDP further stated that the governor has not been proactive in tackling the security challenges, particularly frequent killings in the state.

“Amid this destruction and bloodbath, what we could hear from Governor Uzodimma and Imo APC are stories of how they are having their secret primary elections as regards the local government elections.

“Curiously, the same governor, in a leaked video wherein he was addressing his APC lackeys over the said primary election in a closed-door meeting, claimed to be knowledgeable about everything happening in all the LGAs of the State,” the party said.

It said that the governor “sits in an exalted position without doing anything and these attackers keep on snuffing lives out of innocent citizens.

“To them, governance does not matter, lives can be lost, Imo can burn, and people can die of hunger for all they care,” the party said.

More prosperity and good governance await Nigeria if the leaders adopt the Michael Okpara Leadership model that excelled in selfless service, agriculture, and industrialization.

Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma stated this yesterday during the Michael Okpara Leadership Prize awards in Abuja.

Uzodimma, whose lecture was titled: Service Above Self: Lessons from the Leadership Philosophy of Dr Michael Okpara, noted that Okpara was able to make the Eastern Region ‘s economy the fastest growing one in Africa because of his leadership model.

“If only our political leaders of today could emulate the leadership virtues of Dr Michael Okpara, our country would be better and more prosperous,” he said.

He noted  that those virtues were characterized by selfless service, integrity,  vision and inclusivity, which brought about rapid growth in the region.

Uzodimma, who was also  bestowed with the Premier’s Grand Prize, Gold Plaque Category award by the organisers, urged Nigerians to concentrate more on rendering selfless service rather than pursuing personal aggrandisement.

The late Okpara, who was Premier of the Eastern Region, made up of states in modern Southeat and Southsouth region, served between 1959 and January 15, 1966.

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Born in 1920, he became the Premier having served under the tutelage of the independent President of Nigeria Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Okpara, who went into exile after the coup that ousted the first republic in which the premiers of Northern region Sir Amadu Bello and Western Region Chief Samuel AKintola were assassinated. 

Okpara returned from excile in 1981 and died in 1984.

He also called for a greater commitment to the development of the country by Nigerians themselves, instead of mere passing of bucks.

Uzodimma expressed optimism that Nigeria would attain its full potential  when the citizens display unparallel patriotism, as demonstrated by the late Premier.

He said Okpara’s legacies will continue to “ inspire not just our generation but generations to come”

The governor commended the organisers for the lecture series, which was a way of keeping Okpara’s legacies alive.

But he regretted that Okpara had not been properly honoured by Nigeria.  “ In my view, Okpara remains a hero in Nigeria who has not been properly sung”

Cross River Governor Bassey Otu described Okpara as his hero because of the monumental development he achieved in the former Eastern Region.

According to him, most of the agricultural policies being implemented by his administration in Cross River State were derived from the legacies of Okpara.

The Chairman on the occasion and former Senate President,  Senator Anyim Pius Anyim praised the organisers for keeping the memory of the late premier alive.

Senator Anyim also eulogized Governor Uzodimma for his thought-provoking lecture and urged Nigerians to imbibe the recommendations from the lecture.

The ceremony was attended by former First Lady Patience Jonathan, who described Okpra as her maternal uncle, the governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammwd, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State,  former governor of Cross River State, Sir Clement Ebri, Industrialist, Chief Arthur Eze and prominent political figures and traditional rulers.

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has issued a stern warning to his appointees, saying he will not tolerate disloyal behaviour.

He said loyalty is non-negotiable.

 In a statement issued on Monday, August 19, by his special adviser on public communication, Jones FCC Onwuasoanya, the governor emphasised that the governor will not tolerate disloyal behaviour from any of his aides.

He said: “The governor instructs that all his aides uphold the highest standards of service, especially in their interaction with ordinary citizens.

“Any appointee who deviates from the path of orderliness, dignity, and honesty in carrying out their functions is a disloyal aide and cannot enjoy the governor’s endorsement.”

Governor Uzodimma referenced the biblical parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51), highlighting the consequences of disloyalty.

“The unfaithful servant was rewarded with punishment befitting his disloyalty, while the faithful servant was rewarded,” he noted.

Onwuasoanya reiterated that the governor is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of Imolites, and anyone who intimidates innocent citizens will face disciplinary action.

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“Imolites are assured that His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, shall continue to have their best interests at heart and would stop at nothing to ensure their rights and dignity are protected and respected.

“The governor has directed a thorough investigation into allegations of high-handedness, extortion, and corruption against some officials, emphasizing that anyone found guilty will face consequences,” he disclosed.

He urged citizens to support the Shared Prosperity administration by following traffic rules and reporting acts of lawlessness.