Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
President Bola Tinubu has promised that his administration will pay more attention to health care, education and industrialisation through increased budgetary allocation to accelerate development.
President Tinubu stated this in Owerri during the inauguration of the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for a second term in office with his deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, to replace Professor Placid Njoku who served in that capacity in the first tenure of Governor Uzodimma.
He said his administration was aware of the difficulties arising from the removal of fuel subsidy but appealed to Nigerians to persevere as they will soon have reasons to smile.
According to him, what the nation needs now is peace and stability, noting that the government will intensify efforts to enhance internal security.
President Tinubu congratulated the people of Imo State for being progressive and charged Governor Hope Uzodimma to pursue policies that will fast track development through effective collaboration with the Federal Government.
“I congratulate the people of Imo State for being discerning to vote for a second term, a very unique individual that resonates with a progressive agenda. This man has just gone into the record books for winning well in all the local governments, and he has to show work to ensure hard-work and of economic recovery both in your state and the nation.
Governor Hope Uzodimma in his address, after taking the oath of office, assured the residents that the next four years of his administration will focus on massive infrastructure expansion to ensure accelerated economic growth.
He said the next four years will be anchored on a 10-year Development Plan, which has the capacity to transform Imo State into an industrial, self-sufficient state in the next ten years.
Explaining the development plan he said some priority sectors including industries and projects, which will accelerate the economic prosperity of the State such as the Orashi Free Trade Zone and the supporting businesses have been identified.
“By the time we are through with another four years, the institutional and infrastructural structures we would have put in place will make it a herculean task for any Pharaoh to take Imo State back to Egypt. Let me assure you that my second tenure shall be defined by an uncommon apostolic zeal and tenacious application of clinical efficiency in the execution of policies.”
Governor Uzodimma maintained that the plan is to harness agricultural potentials and exploit the mineral resources in the state and align them to the proposed establishment of ceramic industry and agro processing facilities across the three senatorial districts.
The event had in attendance dignitaries from all over the country. They include President Bola Tinubu GCFR, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Senate President and Deputy, The Speaker House of Representatives, Over 20 Governors (both serving and former), National Chairman of APC Alhaji Umat Ganduje and a host of others.