Governor Hope Uzodimma has used the occasion of the GOLDEN JUBILEE celebration of the creation of the state to declare that he is bequeathing a prosperous Imo characterised by industrialization, digital technology and steady power supply.
He said the infrastructural revolution achieved by his administration in the last six years has put Imo State on the path of sustainable development, with a strengthened economy.
Speaking to a mammoth crowd that gathered in Owerri for the grand finale of the celebrations, including Vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, Uzodimma disclosed that the 25 year strategic plan his administration has set for the state last year was designed to make it an industrial digital hub in Africa.
” It is a roadmap designed to secure a trillion dollar economy for Imo,positioning it as a the premier digital hub in Africa, anchoring our growth on the Orashi special energy free trade zone and a cargo airport with global connectivity “he submitted.
The governor noted that going forward the future wealth of Imo State will not come from the grounds but the minds of our people.
According to him” Through our Skillup Imo programme, we have already trained 65,000 youths in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Coding. By the time we reach our 75th anniversary, these digital natives would have turned Eastern Heartland into a global tech corridor ‘
Uzodimma said apart from realising for Imo the economic breakthrough he promised, he was determined to approach the future with renewed economic vigour.
Said he ” By 2076, Imo must be a fully industrialised knowledge economy ,a place where innovation is our primary export and where our universities rival any in the world “
He described Imo State’s 50-year journey as a story of resilience, faith, and steady progress, declaring that the state has “come of age” and is now firmly positioned for a digitally driven, trillion-dollar future.
Recalling Imo’s early years since it’s creation on February 3, 1976, Governor Uzodimma said the state was born amid hope despite limited resources, noting that its first budget in 1976 stood at just ₦259.4 million, with heavy dependence on federal allocations.
“We truly had little at the beginning, but we were filled with joy and hope,” he said. “Fifty years later, God has proven faithful, guiding us from small beginnings to stability and ambition.”
Uzodimma acknowledged the contributions of past administrations, stressing that each government since 1976 added value to the Imo project, while leaving history to judge individual legacies.
He highlighted significant economic growth under his administration, revealing that Imo’s budget has grown to ₦1.439 trillion, while internally generated revenue rose from ₦226.6 million in 1976 to over ₦63 billion in 2023, describing it as “more than a 1,600-fold increase.”
“We are transitioning from a state that merely spends to one that deliberately builds an economic foundation for the future,” the governor said.
On infrastructure, Uzodimma said his government has constructed over 130 roads, upgraded the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport for international operations, expanded healthcare coverage through a state health insurance scheme, and commissioned the Orashi Power Project, marking Imo’s gradual exit from generator dependency.
Uzodimma concluded by unveiling the Imo @ 50 Compendium, a comprehensive record of the state’s history, and urged citizens to remain united as Imo moves into what he described as “an era of industrialization, digitalization, and shared prosperity “
Speaking, the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, congratulated the State on its 50th anniversary, praising its contributions to Nigeria’s political, cultural, and intellectual life.
He hailed Governor Hope Uzodimma as a “game-changing revolutionary in Imo’s modern political history” whose leadership ensures that “governance is not theatre, but duty.”
Shettima highlighted the state’s achievements in education, Nollywood, agriculture, and technology, noting that “Imo’s skill, human capital, and institutional strength remain strategic assets for long-term economic leadership.” He urged the state to build on these foundations, saying the Golden jubilee should inspire “unity, innovation, and service-driven policy” for the next 50 years.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, and a former Common-Wealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as an “infrastructure governor,” citing his administration’s impact across key sectors of the state.
He pointed out that the Governor had earned the title through investments in roads, transportation, agriculture, finance, and other critical areas.
“The sobriquet of ‘infrastructure governor’ attached to Governor Hope Uzodimma is well understood and well deserved,” Anyaoku said, adding that the administration is leaving “an admirable legacy” in the state.
He noted that Imo State, under Uzodimma’s leadership, is making meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.
The elder statesman, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s political and security challenges, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy.
“National elections constitute a fundamental basis of democracy,” he said, urging the National Assembly to reconsider opposition to the electronic transmission of election results.
Anyaoku also commended the Imo State Government for organizing the golden jubilee, noting that the celebration would feature the formal launch of Imo @ 50 by the governor and the presentation of special awards to deserving individuals.
He congratulated Uzodimma for leading Imo State to what he described as an enviable position and expressed hope for sustained progress in the coming years.
In his own remarks, the Ekiti State Governor, Chief Biodun Oyebanji, congratulated the government and people of Imo State on their golden jubilee, describing Governor Hope Uzodimma as a model of effective leadership and service delivery. He said Uzodimma has become a reference point among governors for commitment to the people and progressive governance.
Oyebanji noted that Imo’s 50-year journey has been impactful, with its sons and daughters contributing significantly to national development. He particularly commended the Orashi Power Project, describing electricity as a major development challenge for states. According to him, improved power supply will boost productivity, create jobs, and ensure a more prosperous future for Imo State.
Equally, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for his unifying leadership as Imo State marks its 50th anniversary. He described the governor as a ” brother” and a bridge-builder who has brought together past and present leaders, traditional rulers, and governors from across Nigeria, setting aside political differences for the state’s good.
The monarch lauded Uzodimma’s ability to foster cohesion and national unity, praying for continued progress in Imo State and Nigeria, and blessing the governor with strength and wisdom to sustain his efforts.
The high points of the event were the presentation of symbolic cheques of N20 million,N 10 million and N5 million naira respectively to the winner and runners up of the Imo @50 quiz Competition; the conferment of awards of Golden Star Governor of Imo State (GSGI) on the first civilian Governor of old Imo State, late Chief Sam Mbakwe and the sitting Governor Hope Uzodimma; the Grand Service Star of Imo State (GSSI) went to former Governors and some Distinguished Imo sons and daughters. Other awards were Distinguished Star of Imo State (DSI), Art and Culture Star of Imo State (ACSI), Star of Innovation Award (SIA) and Star of Youth Leadership (SYL).
The event was graced by the Governors of Borno, Ekiti, Kogi and Taraba States; the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and other APC National and State working committee, members of the National Assembly, Speaker Imo State House of Assembly and members, traditional rulers from Imo and other States, members of the clergy, captains of industry, members of the Imo State Executive Council, stakeholders and friends of Imo State.
