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By Simon Ebegbulem
Going on six years in the saddle at Douglas House, Owerri, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has surpassed expectations, broken barriers, charted fresh paths, opened up newer opportunities, surmounted and fought agents of retrogression to a standstill to the point that not a few had their eyes opened, turning new leaves and keying into the onerous task of bringing exponential development to Ndi Imo in general.
As part of the countdown to his 67th birthday, the people of the Eastern Heartland have every reason to roll out the drums – not just for a man born in 1958 – but for a leader who, in less than six years, has delivered the most visible and far-reaching transformation the state has witnessed in decades. This is not campaign rhetoric. These are facts etched in concrete, asphalt and the daily experience of millions of Imo people: Road revolution like never before, including full dualisation and reconstruction of the Owerri-Okigwe Road (first time ever), Owerri-Orlu Road (Phase 1 completed, Phase 2 ongoing), Owerri-Umuguma-Obinze-Umuowa-Okija Road, over 300km of urban and rural roads rehabilitated or newly constructed across the 27 LGAs, first-ever flyover in Imo State commissioned at Assumpta Avenue/Control Post, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport revived and operational from a comatose “white elephant” to Nigeria’s fastest-growing cargo airport, over 500 tonnes of agro-produce exported in 2025 alone and regular cargo flights to Europe, Middle East and Asia attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
In cold-chain logistics security: From red zone to one of Nigeria’s safest states, Imo State, under the determined and highly focused leadership of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, moved from daily attacks and kidnappings in 2020 to sustained peaceful collaboration, with security agencies dismantling major criminal networks, with nightlife and other economic activities fully restored in Owerri and beyond.
Education and health renaissance under his watch resulted in the renovation and equipping of over 300 primary and secondary schools, along with free education from primary to secondary school and sustained recruitment of over 5,000 teachers and health workers.
The Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) has been fully rehabilitated and upgraded as a formidable necessary complement in the administration’s overall healthcare architecture.
Payment of full salaries and pensions as and when due (no backlog). Implementation of N104,000 minimum wage (among the first states in Nigeria to pioneer such). Promotion of civil servants with financial benefits after years of stagnation, in addition to over 10,000 youths employed into the state’s civil service in the last three years.
Through this remarkable policy, Owerri, the state capital, together with numerous other cities and towns, now boasts streetlights, dual carriageways, drainages and landscaped roundabouts. Elsewhere, the ongoing construction of the new Government House and Imo Concorde Boulevard reclamation and beautification of major city entrances continue in earnest.
Imo State now runs a fully digital land administration system (no more “Olu Owerri”). Internally generated revenue (IGR) tripled without introducing oppressive taxes, while automation of revenue collection and blocking of leakages became a reality. These are not promises. These are completed and commissioned projects that every Imo son and daughter, home or abroad, can see, touch and feel.
His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, being the accomplished politician-cum-technocrat that he has always been, has since inception of the shared prosperity (3Rs) administration raised the bar in projecting the state at the national level. Governor Uzodimma not only upped the ante, he worked tirelessly towards placing Imolites, both men and women, including deserving youths, in highly strategic positions under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Renewed Hope federal administration.
Among his governor colleagues, Senator Uzodimma is held in very high esteem, a fact buttressed by his being elected as chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), umbrella body comprising state executives on the platform of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Needless to mention that, under Governor Uzodimma’s purposeful leadership, the rank of membership of the PGF has continued to swell in proportions that beat the imagination, particularly with the defection of traditional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state governors, including those of Delta and Bayelsa, to the ruling APC.
The first of its kind in 50 years, the Imo State Economic Summit, which held last week (December 4 and 5), further places His Excellency on an entirely different pedestal in the annals of the South East state and yet another feat that may be hard to surpass.
The Imo State Economic Summit brought together foreign diplomats, global industry leaders, major investors, captains of finance, traditional rulers and clergy.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Prof. Benedict Oramah, former president of Afreximbank, and, of course, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s foremost businessman, were all in attendance.
Also in attendance was the All Progressives Congress’ national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, along with his predecessor in office, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Federal Executive Council members, lawmakers and the expanded Imo State Executive Council.
President Tinubu, who described Governor Uzodimma as a “resourceful leader, who in a football scenario, was the defender, attacker, midfielder and goalkeeper rolled into one,” for good measures, noted that “Imo State under Governor Uzodimma’s administration is primed for transformation, given the development of infrastructure and digital technology.”
The President reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to support Imo State’s economic transformation. “We recognize the unique challenges that Imo State faces, and we are dedicated to implementing strategies that will not only boost local businesses but also create sustainable job opportunities.”
He urged local and international investors to take advantage of Imo’s emerging digital economy, improved business climate and ongoing federal economic reforms.
While pledging the Federal Government’s readiness to assist Imo State in its investment drive and developmental initiatives, the President described Igbo people as the most critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
“Half of Abuja is owned by Ndigbo. They are everywhere. Anywhere you go and you don’t find Ndigbo, just run,” he declared.
Numerous other big political and business leaders from within and outside of Nigeria that were in attendance included President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Prime Minister Americo Ramos of Sao Tome and Principe, former British (United Kingdom) Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson and former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.
Welcoming the delegates, Governor Uzodimma described the summit as a historic turning point for Imo State.
“You are in the right place at the right time,” he declared, rebranding “IMO” as Investment Meets Opportunities.
He highlighted the state’s strategic location, large market access, agricultural strength and natural resources – including what he described as the largest proven gas reserves in West Africa.
Governor Uzodimma said Imo is pursuing a $1 trillion economy in alignment with Federal economic reforms.
He cited the construction of more than 120 strategic roads, enhanced regional connectivity and improvements in the power sector, including the Light Up Imo project scheduled for launch later this month, to provide 24-hour electricity.
The governor also unveiled the Imo Land Information Centre, which digitalizes land administration and eliminates fraud.
He cited other competitive advantages, such as the dredging of Orashi River to the Atlantic, the state’s position as Nigeria’s digital hub and the OKOBI (One Kindred, One Business Initiative) economic model.
“Imo State is ready to house your investments,” he said.
Minister for Finance, Chief Wale Edun, who declared Imo State’s independent power project “a real game changer,” went on to commend Governor Uzodimma’s strategic focus.
Former World number one diplomat, Ban Ki-Moon called for stronger global partnerships, emphasising Africa’s role in climate-change solutions. He urged leaders to embrace global citizenship and environmental responsibility.
UK’s Boris Johnson praised Nigeria’s economic potential, describing the country as “one of the most exciting investment prospects in the world.”
He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his massive road infrastructure, his focus on sustainability electricity, and digital empowerment of human resources.
According to him: “The digital empowerment of youths was the way to go as the society will in the nearest future depend on Artificial Intelligence for economic transformation.”
He described Uzodimma as a visionary and transformational leader who is focused on the future by unleashing the economic potentials of the state.
Johnson noted that with a dynamic potential and the largest reserve of gas in West Africa, and the availability of critical infrastructure, Imo was on its way to being the destination investment hub in the country.
He described Nigeria as the greatest friend of Britain with a shared history in trade and human development, adding that Nigerians in the UK have assisted in the growth of their home country. He predicted that a Prime Minister of Nigerian descent will soon emerge in his country.
Prof. Oramah, reiterated the Afreximbank’s commitment to Imo’s development, highlighting the Orashi dredging project and a multi-billion-naira petrochemical testing facility near the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, as among those of particular interest.
On his part, Alhaji Aliko Dangote encouraged Nigerian businesses to invest boldly at home.
He assured Governor Uzodimma of the Dangote Group’s readiness to partner with the state.
The Imo Economic Summit closed with a shared commitment to accelerating investment, deepening partnerships and positioning Imo as a major economic hub in Nigeria and West Africa.
Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma’s responsible and mature approach has continued to endear him to all and sundry, which in turn is serving as the magnet that continues to draw others to the fold, in service of the greater majority. These and other factors no doubt being the reason and basis for the seamless working and personal relationship between the Presidency and Governor Uzodimma, who in turn does not take the trust reposed in him with levity.
On the approach of his special day, we celebrate a leader who has proven that governance is about delivery, not excuses; about teamwork, not ego; about shared prosperity, not personal enrichment.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Oyoko), as you add another graceful year, the good people of Imo State say in one voice: Happy 67th Birthday, Digital Governor! Thank you for giving us a New Imo we can all be proud of.
May your strength be renewed, your vision sharpened, and your legacy endure.The train is moving faster than ever. Imo is working again- because Hope is working.
Happy Birthday, Our Governor!
Many Happy Returns, Onwa n’etiri Ora!
•Comrade Simon Ebegbulem, former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, writes from Owerri.
