It wasn’t meant to be anything elaborate or loud. It was just a whisper in government and family circles that the 12th of December marked another year for the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
For the governor, this modesty was not a newfound posture. It had been a tradition ever before he went into public office in 2011 as a senator. Back then, the people of the Orlu zone would gather to celebrate his birthday as if it were their personal day. They would gather out of a genuine desire to show appreciation to a man who had impacted their lives positively; who had offered employment to thousands, empowered millions including widows and orphans, and brought smiles to faces through personal gestures. Uzodimma was a household name then. He is still a household name, though now on a much higher pedestal.
For years, the significant aspect of his birthday celebration was a Thanksgiving Mass to express appreciation to God for His grace, mercy, and benevolence. The Mass, usually presided over by a Catholic Bishop, would be attended by a few family members, mostly his wife and children, and a handful of close associates. This year’s event, marking his 67th birthday, was scheduled to follow this same solemn pattern.
But the intense national attention the birthday attracted must have surprised many, including the governor himself.
As early as 1:00 AM on Friday, December 12th, 2025, the media space; social, print, and electronic; was hijacked by a deluge of congratulatory messages. These were not merely perfunctory wishes; they were eulogies to his contributions to societal advancement and his deepening footprint in national politics. The outpouring of open encouragement for his increased involvement in national affairs was not lost on keen observers.
First to fire the salvo was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. In a personally signed statement released at the State House on the eve of the celebration, the President commended Governor Uzodimma’s commitment to national unity and his stewardship as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
President Tinubu noted that the Governor’s leadership embodies the ideals of the administration’s vision, explicitly describing him as the “ambassador of Renewed Hope, a beacon of unity and a force for positive change.” The President observed that Uzodimma actively works to “blur the artificial lines that separate us.”
“Governor Uzodimma is the true representation of a progressive, both in ideal and action,” the President wrote. “He is a patriot through and through.”
Addressing Uzodimma’s role within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the President observed that his selection as Chairman of the PGF attests to his “broadmindedness and capacity to rally people together,” describing his leadership style as “expansive and corrective, accommodating and decisive.”
President Tinubu affirmed that Imo State has witnessed “steady progress” since 2020, specifically citing “remarkable” footprints in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security.
Following on the heels of his principal, Vice President Kashim Shettima declared that Governor Uzodimma has distinguished himself as a progressive leader. He noted that Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise APC governors around a shared vision for national development.
“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” Shettima stated.
The celebration transcended party lines. Scores of governors took to the airwaves to recount how the Imo State Governor has reshaped the political map of Nigeria through inclusive ideology.
The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia described Uzodimma as a diligent, forthright, and results-oriented politician. He commended his colleague for his pragmatic leadership style, noting that as leader of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Uzodimma had consistently shown solidarity with fellow governors. According to Father Alia, Uzodimma has been at the forefront of mobilising APC governors to support initiatives aimed at accelerating human development.
From the opposition, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti (LP) offered prayers for his “brother Governor.” Otti felicitated with “Hope Uzodimma (Onwa) of Imo State, on the occasion of his 67th birthday celebration,” expressing joy that God has continued to sustain him to render service. Otti thanked God for “blessing Onwa with good health and wisdom and for giving him the opportunity to serve Imo people at this time.”
While the political class focused on ideology, the business community, traditional institutions, and bureaucrats focused on tangibles. Many pointed to his legacies, specifically his push for a new economic narrative arising from the highly successful Imo Economic and Investment Summit. This pivotal event drew the crème de la crème of the global elite to Nigeria, including sitting and former presidents and prime ministers, signalling that Imo is indeed ready for global business.
However, the most poignant tributes came from the workers and pensioners of Imo State. In a joint message that resonated with deep emotion, they likened Uzodimma to the Shakespearean Daniel who had come to judgment, or a biblical Moses rescuing them from years of oppression.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God that we, the Pensioners of Imo State, join millions of Nigerians to wish a happy birthday to a man of the people, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, the ebullient governor of the state,” the pensioners wrote.
“Uzodimma is like Moses, who led us out of our financial Egypt. For many years, Imo Pensioners were treated like the scum of the earth, abandoned and left desolate by successive administrations until Uzodimma, like Daniel, came to our rescue.”
They highlighted the transition from regular pension payments to the clearance of decades-old gratuities. “Today, the majority of Imo Pensioners have received their gratuities to the glory of God. To also wipe our tears and take care of old age related health challenges, Governor Uzodimma enrolled us into the Imo Health Insurance scheme.”
Imo workers were equally emphatic: “Your birthday this year is more than a celebration. It is a fulfilment of God’s love and mercy for the people of Imo State.”
Referencing the Governor’s economic strides, the workers noted: “After the successful hosting of the Imo Economic Summit, the first ever in the history of the state, it is only deserving that you enjoy your day. Civil servants in the state will always be grateful to you for your unprecedented love and care, especially in the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, including the 13th month salaries and gratuities.”
These accolades are not mere platitudes to massage the ego of a governor; they are hard, verifiable facts. Uzodimma has fundamentally changed the narrative in the Eastern Heartland. He has restored hope in a once-beleaguered environment and instilled confidence through accountability and transparency.
His vision of economic growth is being realized. By the time the transformation envisioned by the recent Economic and Investment Summit is fully actualized, Imo is poised to become the investment hub of the entire South East. As he turns 67, the unwavering support he is receiving from all corners of Nigeria has only strengthened his resolve to leave Imo on a stable economic pedestal, where life is easier, better, and more prosperous for all.
And even as his birthday celebration triggered such a passionate national conversation on his unwavering commitment to national cohesion and transformative leadership, I dare predict that, in the words of Chinua Achebe, it is still “morning yet on creation day.”
Emelumba is the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy.
