Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has sworn-in five new Commissioners, bringing the total number of the Commissioners in the state to 30.
He did this on Wednesday when Rex Anunobi, Henry Okafor, Ukaegbu Emeka Mandela, Victor Ndubuisi Nwachukwu and Ubaka Chukwuemeka Michael were unveiled at the new Executive Chambers Government Owerri.
After their swearing in, Governor Uzodimma charged them to bring in their experiences to bear in the recovery of the state’s economy and to serve Imo citizens better.
He said that their appointment was to help improve and build Imo State of our collective desire by taking it to a higher level, emphasizing that his government is in a hurry to recover the state.
The governor said going by the current situation of things in the state and the nation, it will not be business as usual, rather “it is now going to be an eye for an eye and a teeth for a teeth.”
He reiterated his zero tolerance for corruption warning or compromise of any sort from any appointee.
Finally, the governor advised the new appointees to work harmoniously with their colleagues and to bear in mind that the motto of the present day Imo State is “prosperity is the name of the business.”
In their appreciation, Henry Okafor who spoke on behalf of his colleagues thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve and enjoined other expectant politicians not to lose hope.
Present at the swearing-in were the Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ekomaru, the member representing Owerri zone in the Senate, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, the Secretary to the State Government, Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Nnamdi Anyaehie, Jerry Alagbaso and members of State Expanded Executive Council.
Also on Wednesday, Governor Uzodimma declared that President Bola Tinubu has the vision and capacity to rescue Nigeria’s economy and make it the fastest growing one in Africa.
Governor Uzodimma spoke at an interactive session with journalists in Owerri, where he also gave two brand new, 14 seater buses to members of the Correspondent Chapel and the National Association of Women Journalists in Imo State.
The governor said he had no doubt that the current economic policies of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Tinubu would lead Nigeria to prosperity.
He noted that journalists needed to properly explain to Nigerians the benefits of the policies instead of trumpeting the side effects.
According to him, “although the populace are experiencing economic hardship occasioned by the policies, they would eventually enjoy the benefits.”
Governor Uzodimma maintained that the removal of fuel subsidy and merging of official and parallel exchange rates were courageous steps taken by President Tinubu to strengthen the economy.
The governor regretted that instead of some notable Nigerians acknowledging the efforts of President Tinubu, they were busy demarketing the administration through the media.
He said that whereas the three major presidential candidates promised to end the regime of fuel subsidy, the other two who didn’t win are pretending otherwise.
He beckoned on the media to buy into the vision of President Tinubu in rebuilding the economy instead of allowing pessimists to take control of the media space.
His words, “Every discerning Nigerian knows that President Tinubu’s economic policies are sound and that they will salvage the country sooner than later.”
The governor urged Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu administration, saying that the current hardship was like a birth pang that would go away when the baby is born.
Meanwhile, the Governor donated two brand new buses to the Imo State Correspondents of Nigerian Union of Journalists and the National Association of Women Journalists Imo State Chapter for their day-to-day operations and for being worthy partners with the government for a better society.
The two affiliate bodies of the NUJ had paid a courtesy call on the Governor to introduce members of their newly elected executives and seek continuing partnership with the government.
While congratulating them, the governor enjoined the journalists to continue to be professional in the discharge of their duties and also spare a thought about the unity, growth and development of Nigeria in the course of discharging their duties.
Governor Uzodimma emphasized that all over the world governments partner with the media and that in Nigeria, outside the three arms of government, the press is the next recognised as “the fourth estate of the realm which makes the media very important for the State, the nation and the world at large.”
He advised them not to be deliberately antagonistic to any government “rather should show more commitment and be more objective and patriotic while reporting for the interest of the State and the nation at large.”
In their presentations earlier, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ifeanyi Nwanguma had thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity to have one-on-one interaction with him, noting that he only came to introduce the new Executive members of the Correspondents Chapel and NAWOJ to him.
He formally congratulated the Governor on his reelection for a second tenure and promised continuing support of NUJ in the State to the administration.
The Chairman of Correspondent Chapel, Chinonso Alozie as well congratulated the governor on his reelection and explained that the State’s Correspondents have decided to form better partnership with the government for a better Imo State.
The State Chairman of NAWOJ, Dorothy Nnaji thanked the governor for his fatherly, moral and financial support and informed that NAWOJ is involved in a lot of interventions, sensitization and enlightenment of rural women.
Both groups had reminded the governor of his earlier promise of buses, noting that they needed them like yesterday to assist them in their operations.
The Correspondents had also pleaded with the governor to resort to the monthly stipend the government pays them to cushion the hardship they are facing.
Highlight of the programme was the presentation of two brand new 14 Seater buses to the chairmen of the two bodies.