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From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has advocated for an urgent change of attitude by all citizens as the country prepares to mark its 65th Independence Anniversary.
While insisting that the anniversary affords Nigerians the opportunity to assess the past and adopt necessary changes for progress, Governor Uzodinma also canvassed for the need for citizens to focus on the utilisation of the country’s natural resources and productivity for economic recovery.
He spoke on Sunday, September 28, 2025, during the 65th Independence Anniversary Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service held at the Government House Chapel, Owerri.
He said: “Nigeria is richly blessed with natural resources yearning for productive utilisation 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 to.”
Governor Uzodinma, who noted that the government of Imo State has decided that “a lot of things must change, particularly our own way of doing things,” insisted that “we cannot be suffering in the midst of plenty.”
He then urged all to agree to move forward and not rely on the past.
His words: “The old order is gone; they are gradually and incrementally giving way to the new order. We must work. We must be busy. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If you must be tempted, remain idle. A busy mind is a productive mind.”
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He expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to lead Imo State and pledged to remain accountable for his actions and inactions in the state as governor.
The governor used the opportunity to announce that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be visiting Imo State on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to commission the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, the new twin flyover at Assumpta Roundabout, and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIIC), urging Imo people to come out en masse to receive Mr President and his entourage.
Earlier in his homily, the chief celebrant of the Eucharistic Mass, Monsignor John Iwe, who represented the Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Bishop Solomon Amatu, urged Nigerians and their leaders to have a sober reflection and be determined to do something to alleviate the pains and sufferings of vulnerable citizens around them.
He made reference to the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the Bible and encouraged the rich to use their wealth to attract God’s blessings rather than incur the wrath of God.
“How do we treat the poor in our society today? To love God is to love our neighbour. Plan to see what you can do for your neighbour who is in need,” the cleric insisted.
The interdenominational church service was attended by all the heads of security and paramilitary agencies in Imo State as well as government officials and prominent leaders from the state.
