Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s Youth Wing backed Governor Hope Uzodinma’s bid for a second term as governor of Imo State yesterday, saying that the governor needs to be re-elected so that he can build on the state’s many recent successes.
After spending a week touring Imo State to evaluate the crucial projects executed by the government of Sen. Uzodimma, the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing delivered a speech at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Hall, Government House, Owerri.
During the visit, Governor Uzodimma challenged the young people to provide him with a strategy for how they may improve their position in the grand scheme of things, grow physically stronger, and make more significant contributions to society.
The young people, led by Comrade Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, expressed their excitement at meeting with the governor to “commend and encourage” him on his many successful infrastructure initiatives and to assure him of their unwavering support for his re-election and the chance to “consolidate on his good works.”
The young people’s support included awarding Governor Uzodimma the title of Grand Commander of Igbo Youth Worldwide.
The youngsters claimed to have evaluated several leaders in the region before deciding on Governor Uzodimma as their Grand Commander of the Igbo because of his extraordinary dedication to the well-being of the Igbo people.
The Owerri-Okigwe, Owerri-Orlu, and Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Umuahia roads were singled out and praised for their quality and durability, and it was claimed that the entire South East would have been opened up had the Governor finished building the Orlu-Mgbe-Akokwa-Uga road by the end of his second term.
Okpalaezeukwu told the governor that the young people were unhappy with the level of security in the region and that they wanted to participate in government attempts to improve the situation.
Because most of the bad guys in the South East are young, he stated, “youth elements are highly needed to end the insecurity there.”
Okpalaezeukwu also asked the governor to use his influence to impress upon Mr. President the importance of including young Igbo people in his administration’s decision-making processes, as they have much to offer.
Governor Uzodimma was overjoyed to hear that the young people had elected him Grand Commander and had recognised his modest accomplishments as the cause for their support in voting for him again.
The governor told the young people that while insecurity is a problem in the region’s southeast, they have the power to overcome it by working together.
He told them to avoid destructive behaviours like violence, unrest, and criminality because they are out of style in today’s world of strategic planning and analysis.
While thanking President Tinubu for the ministerial and other appointments that have benefited the Igbo Nation, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that the president has assured him of the processes being worked on by government to manage the (in)security situation in the South-east in particular and Nigeria in general.
“I am both flattered and surprised by this accolade. We can’t help you unless you help us. I need a plan of action to strengthen and better utilise our young people in society.
Governor Uzodimma reminded the young people that the South-east Security Summit will be held in Owerri soon, and he urged them to go since they would learn a lot from participating.
Several high-ranking government officials were present, including Chief Cosmos Iwu, Secretary to the Government of Imo State; Deputy Governor Placid Njoku; Chief of Staff Nnamdi Anyaehie; and Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe.
