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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has projected that the forthcoming Imo Economic Summit could generate up to $1 trillion in economic gains for the state, according to a statement issued Monday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku.
Speaking at the Government House Banquet Hall in Owerri after the Feast of Christ the King, Uzodinma unveiled his administration’s plan to launch an ambitious economic agenda, anchored by a Global Economic Summit and a series of Tourism Revival Projects.
The governor outlined a comprehensive slate of initiatives aimed at positioning Imo as both a national and international economic hub. Among these is the World Investment and Economic Summit, scheduled for the first week of December, which is expected to draw prominent global figures including a former UN Secretary-General, a former British Prime Minister, the President of Nigeria, and several African heads of state. “We want to announce Imo State to the world,” Uzodimma emphasized.
Highlighting the Light Up Imo Project, the governor expressed determination to overcome obstacles impeding the completion and connection of the state’s electricity infrastructure to the national grid. “We cannot invest billions in power infrastructure and fail to deliver electricity to our people. By next week, decisive steps will be taken,” he stated.
Read also: Uzodinma’s Shield: How Imo’s Watchdogs Betrayed Justice
Uzodimma also announced that the state will host the Ahiajoku Lecture Series at the end of the month, a cultural legacy initiated by former Governor Sam Mbakwe. He described the series and other festivals as key indicators of Imo’s tourism potential and stressed that revitalising them would contribute to the state’s long-term economic growth. “Ideas rule the world, and we are ready to rebuild the circle of excellence our state once represented,” he said.
The governor acknowledged that insecurity and political interference had previously hampered development projects, criticizing acts of vandalism, including the unauthorised alteration of a government-built roundabout. “Government property belongs to all of us. Conduct is part of success; we must act as responsible citizens,” he warned.
Uzodimma further outlined his administration’s efforts to strengthen public services, noting that robust schools, hospitals, transport systems, and infrastructure are essential for citizens’ wellbeing. He stressed that wage increases alone cannot offset the high costs of private education and healthcare. “If our schools and hospitals work, civil servants can manage households comfortably,” he explained.
Urging residents to prioritise collective progress over personal or political interests, the governor called for unity as the foundation for Imo State’s sustainable development and future prosperity.
