Imo State

Ala oma,
Imo, real sunshine state and glorious,
Born of a river in 1976
By military through decree
Nigeria’s heritage
Imo, Africa’s Garden of Eden, crisscrossed
By rivers and streams
Like Imo, Orashi, Njaba, Mbaa, Ota mmiri, Nwangele and more…
Blessed land and resplendent
Imo of flora and fauna
Overflowing with milk and honey

Imo Chitiriugwu!
Historical and cultural
Resonating with ojiri mara nd’Igbo
Ome n’Imo, Ahiajoku, Abigbo – Imo characteristics
Dense and teeming Imo
From Mbaise to Mabitoli
From Orlu to Orsu
From Ikeduru to Ihitte – Uboma
Oru to Ideato Nation
Okigwe to Ohaji, Ngor Okpala to Nkwerre
Bedecked with great people living and dead
Imo of peace and harmony
Sanctuary for the hopeful
Imo of Mbakwe – the sage
Imo of Uzodimma – man of prosperity
Yet of Okorocha – the rescuer?
Beautiful land and dreamy
With outstretched arms to embrace
Ala oma…

Religious Imo, pious Imo
Sanctuary for the hopeful
Where sun never sets
Imo, a land and a place
With wide repertoire of good, bad and ugly
Like kidnappers, armed robbers
But good triumphs
Imo, land and haven of goodwill
Of dauntless men and women
Who labour to excel
Imo at home and abroad
Imo of bright academics, leaders and stars, past and present
Like Chief K. O. Mbadiwe – Agada Gbashiriuzo
Like Chief Iwuanyanwu – Aha Eji Agamba
Like Evan Enwerem – Mature
Like historic Echeruo – professor
Like Sam Okwaraji – footballer
Like historic Chioma Ajunwa – Golden,
Like Onyeka Onwenu – the Amazon
Like Leo Stan Eke – Computer
Like Achike Udenwa – Onwa
Like Ikedi Ohakim – Onye karaka!
Like Hope Uzodimma – Onwa of the universe
Imo of Owerri – true garden city
Great state and pride of nd’Igbo
Melting pot of creativity
Guardian of Southeast
Imo State – treasure base and original
Motherland and caring
Home of hospitality
Ala oma n’ekwo ekwo
Ebe Chukwu goziri agozi
Imo! Ala oma n’obi Igbo
My home, my pride!
My beautiful state of flora and fauna
I miss, I miss…

By Benedict Ahanonu