Imo residents, Monday, defied the weekly ‘sit-at-home’ order to attend the inauguration of Hope Uzodimma’s second term in office as the governor of the state.
The venue of the event – Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri – was a beehive of activities as Uzodinma, who won the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election, was sworn in for a second term in office alongside his Deputy, Lady Ihuoma Chinyere Ekomaru, by the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka.
While congratulating Uzodinma, his deputy and the people of Imo, President Bola Tinubu said Imo is safe because Uzodinma paid attention to the internal security arrangement of the state.
According to the president, “Do not worry, with me here is Hope. A real Hope. I assure you there will be some fair share of education for your children. Healthcare will receive more allocation and attention. The things you are enjoying here relatively will be better and we will work hard.
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“Before now, every one of us was enveloped with fear to come to Imo State. But today, Imo is safe and happy and ready for business. What we have to do is for us to work together; join hands and pay attention to our internal security. And today incidentally, is the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.”
Speaking earlier, the governor said his target was to make Imo State the industrial hub of the South East, Nigeria and West Africa.
He said the next four years of his administration would focus on deepening the shared prosperity mantra through massive infrastructural expansion.
He emphasised that the vision of his government was anchored on a 10-year development plan which has the capacity to transform the state into a self-sufficient state.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
Among governors at the event were Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Alex Otti (Abia), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmad Sokoto (Sokoto) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.
