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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Governor Hope Uzodimma has declared 2026 the year Imo State’s foundations yield “a massive harvest”, outlining key priorities in power, health, agriculture, education, and food security.
The governor, who made the declaration in his New Year address to citizens of the state, also highlighted his achievements in 2025. Uzodimma cited the Assumpta twin flyovers, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, and a N1.4 trillion “Budget of Economic Breakthrough”. He thanked President Bola Tinubu for national leadership, lauding economic reforms.
The governor warned against threats to peace, urging vigilance amid “perennial enemies of growth”. “Imo is ours; we must protect her,” he stressed, announcing AI-driven security technology to curb plots.
Uzodimma praised citizens’ support, citing SkillUp Imo (50,000 graduates) and land reforms via Imo Land Information System.
His statement reads:
“Today, the era of politically fuelled insecurity is behind us. The peace we enjoy is not an accident; it is the result of our collective resolve to reclaim our state.
“Like most of you, it gladdens my heart to see our people enjoying the newly launched Heartland Resort Park. Beyond being a premier leisure destination, this beach-style recreation hub along the Nworie River corridor, which opened on 20 December 2025, represents our reclaimed right to peace. Yet, this resort is only one piece in a spectrum of concrete achievements that defined the past year.
“We began 2025 with an aggressive push for legacy infrastructure. By late September, the skyline of Owerri changed forever when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the Assumpta twin flyovers. This project has finally unblocked the busiest choke point in the city, easing traffic and announcing a new era in urban renewal. We also saw the commissioning of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre (EIICC) on 30 September 2025.
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“This world-class facility has restored our status as a premier convention destination. Alongside this, we delivered the rebuilt Owerri–Mbaise–Obowo–Umuahia corridor, a project that has re-established our regional connectivity.
“August 2025 marked a decisive turn for our workforce. My administration raised the minimum wage for state civil servants from N70,000 to N104,000; the most audacious sub-national wage decision in the country. This was a direct response to the economic pressures facing our workers.
“In that same spirit of justice, I approved the release of N16 billion to pay another batch of long-standing gratuity arrears. By doing so, we have taken yet another crucial step toward clearing decades of liabilities, ensuring our senior citizens receive the dignity they earned through years of service.
“Our focus on the future was equally reflected in the SkillUp Imo programme. On 10 October 2025, we graduated 10,000 youths in Cohort 3, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 50,000 young Imo people trained in software engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and fintech. To anchor this talent, the National Universities Commission approved the Imo State University of Innovation, Science and Technology, Omuma. This institution will serve as the engine room for our digital city and innovation hubs.
“All these efforts provided the momentum for the Imo Economic and Investment Summit in December, where global partners acknowledged Imo as a new growth frontier. As we enter 2026, we do so with a clear roadmap in our N1.4 trillion “Budget of Economic Breakthrough.” Our target is to resolutely pursue growth in power, health, agriculture, education, and food security. We intend to transform the Imo economy in a way that translates more concretely to every household.
“We continue to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. His economic policies have taken a turn for the better, bringing relief through the stabilisation of fuel and food prices while providing states with the resources to do more for the people.
“For us in Imo, 2026 is the year our foundations yield a massive harvest. However, as we enjoy the peace and tranquillity that now pervades our landscape, we must work consciously to sustain it. We must not lose sight of the fact that there are still those who are unhappy with the progress of our state; perennial enemies of growth who may try to take us back to darker years.
“We must remain vigilant. As the saying goes, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” We must be observant and report any suspicious activity to the security agencies immediately.”
