By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Monday said that Imo is now safe for business.

Tinubu stated this in Owerri, during Governor Hope Uzodinma’s second term inauguration in office, held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in the state.

According to Tinubu, Imo is safe because Uzodinma paid attention to the internal security arrangement of the state.

According to the President, “Do not worry, with me here is Hope. A real Hope. I assure you there will be some fair share of education for your children. Healthcare will receive more allocation and attention. The things you are enjoying here relatively will be better and we will work hard.

“Before now, every one of us is enveloped with fear to come to Imo state. But today Imo is safe and happy and ready for business. What we have to do is for us to work together join hands and pay attention to our internal security. And today incidentally, is the armed forces remembrance day.”

Tinubu continued by saying: “The man Hope Uzodimma is a man very hardworking and industrious. I say congratulations. It is a great honour to be here in Imo State to congratulate the entire people of Imo State for being determined to vote for a second term in office. It is unique and resonates with the progressive’s agenda.

“There is no other way it would have happened. I assure you that you have gotten a good and dependable Democrat. A man who will talk and do. As his name symbolizes, we are here to assure you that your hopes are renewed. This has gone into the record book winning all the local government areas. So he has to do more work and find good support at the national level to ensure economic recovery of the state.”

Earlier in his acceptance speech, the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, pointed out that; “My second tenure will be centred on the massive economic development of the state, which will permeate every community or ward. We shall kick start this through our Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI). Consequently, within the first 12 months of the current tenure, every community in the state will feel the impact with at least one significant project fully executed for them. Consequently, in the coming weeks, working with the local government council leadership, each community will be expected to identify one project that they want the government to do for them. The chosen project must have a direct and immediate impact on the overall economy of the communities. It could be in the form of provision of electricity, potable water, road, a health centre or a market development project. Further details and modalities for this community economic development initiative will be made available within the next few weeks.”

For what he has planned to achieve for the next four years, Uzodimma said: “As I mentioned earlier, the policy thrust of my second tenure would continue to be massive investments in infrastructure, full recovery of the economy to a sustainable level, human capital development with emphasis on youth empowerment and educational advancement of our children, coupled with the further invigoration of the civil service for more efficient service delivery. Anything recurrent is considered the normal or statutory business of government. Therefore, it must be taken care of in the course of governance. In my normal tradition, the prompt payment of salaries and pensions will remain a priority.

“My priority areas going forward will be on 15 critical sectors needed for the sustainable development of Imo State. This will be in tandem with my 3R mantra and the 10-year Development Plan as earlier mentioned. The areas are road infrastructure, Education, Health, Sanitation, Water Supply, Agriculture and Food Security, Housing and New Cities Development, Digital infrastructure , Transportation Infrastructure, Market Access, Industrial Policy, Safety / Security, Enabling Laws and Policies, Public Financial Management and Electricity Infrastructure.”

“In line with the standard institutional framework, each of these sectors is to be implemented in such a manner that the results would readily impact the economy and standard of living of the citizenry. My dear brothers and sisters, as you know, Imo State belongs to all of us, and building the state of our dream will require the contributions of everyone of us, irrespective of our political affiliations. The time has come to bury all those differences so we can work collectively to develop our state. Remember, this is the only state we can truly call our own. Therefore, we should all think of how we can contribute to her growth instead of leaving it to the government alone.

“Let us forgive and forget. Let us reconcile and move our state forward.”

Some top dignitaries, who witnessed the Uzodinma’s second term inauguration, include the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, his Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum, among other givernors and their representatives. Also former governors of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, and Rochas Okorocha.

Former National chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, Business Mogul, Arthur Eze, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu others.

Among the top royal fathers, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe others.