Imo: Gov Uzodimma Sustains The Feat, To Host President Buhari For The Second Time Within A Year

OGU BUNDU NWADIKE, M.A

There was a time when the worst aches of the opposition in Imo State was caused by their worry that the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, was frequenting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Soon, however, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, came visiting the State to commission some projects that were completed by Governor Uzodimma.

The opposition went wild with unfair castigation and criticism of the Governor abusing, insulting and saying all sorts of things against the Governor and his Government. 

Thereafter, the Governor announced that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, was going to visit Imo State on a one day working visit.

The opposition taunted and mocked the Governor, expressing doubts about his capacity and capability to host Mr. President in the State.

However, to the greatest shock and surprise of the doubting Toms in the opposition, and obviously to their chagrin and consternation, President Buhari visited Imo State and was hosted by Governor Uzodimma.

Though the opposition waxed petty and busied themselves with such inanities as making caricature of the President’s “ishi agu top” attire, his trousers and his shoes, with the white ox horn he held all through the visit, like a titled red capped chief.

Mr. President went around Imo State to see things for himself. He commissioned some projects commissioned by Governor Uzodimma. Ultimately, he commended the Governor for the good work he was doing in the State. 

However, the feat of Governor Uzodimma bringing President Buhari to Imo State so overtly jolted the opposition that it signalled the onset of their silence against the Governor and his Government.

Since after the visit by the President, the Vice President has paid another visit to Imo State. And like in his first visit he came to commission some projects completed by Governor Uzodimma.

On Tuesday, April 18, 2022, the Governor paid a routine visit to Mr. President in Aso Rock, to give him situation report and feedback on the developments and progress of the State since the last visit over a month ago.

One of the take homes of their meeting was the acceptance by the President to visit Imo State in the month of May 2022 to commission the completed 35km Orlu-Owerri Road and the 57km Okigwe-Owerri Road.
The two roads are signature projects of Governor Uzodimma’s, despite being Federal roads. According to the Governor, in an interview:
“It is therefore, worthy of note that the roads, which are Federal roads are currently being reconstructed by Imo State Government with dual carriage for the Owerri-Orlu Road and expanded width for the Owerri-Okigwe Road, as approved by Mr. President.”

“Mr. President has graciously approved our request to commission the roads by next month as the contractors, Craneburg, a world class construction company handling the project has assured that they would be ready by next month, having achieved 90% construction already.”

“Though the roads are Federal roads, our Government embarked on them to alleviate the sufferings of the people and enable farmers evacuate their produce with ease. Hopefully, one day, the Federal Government would be moved to compensate the Imo State Government for embarking on the projects.”

No doubt, those are feats, which only a connected and committed Governor could accomplish and achieve within the short period Governor Uzodimma has been in office.

Governor Uzodimma is connected and committed, hence he has been pulling many feats to the overall good of Ndimo in general! 

Only commendations and goodwill prayers of Ndimo befit the Governor. All acts of harsh criticisms are unnecessary and useless, because they can never cog the wheel of progress that Governor Uzodimma has set rolling in Imo State. To God be the glory!

By God’s grace, Imo State is being rehabilitated, reconstructed and recovered by Governor Uzodimma!!