Ojoh Extols Uzodimma’s Leadership, Says Daily Times Decade Governor Award Well-Deserved
By Anselem Anokwute
An All Progressives Congress, APC, youth leader, Comrade Chidiebere Ojoh, has commended the leadership qualities and developmental strides of the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, describing the governor’s recognition with the Daily Times Governor of the Decade Award as a well-deserved honour.
Ojoh, an Ikeduru-born technocrat and General Contractor, said the award by the internationally recognized national newspaper, Daily Times, was a reflection of Governor Uzodimma’s contributions to infrastructure development, human capital development, youth empowerment and economic transformation in Imo State.
He noted that “a good name is better than gold and silver,” stressing that Governor Uzodimma had, through his policies and projects, written his name in the history of Imo State.
According to him, the governor’s administration has recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructure and human capital development, which, he said, had positively impacted the lives of residents across the state.
Ojoh particularly cited the rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads across the state, including the Owerri-Orlu, Owerri-Okigwe, Owerri-Umuahia and Owerri-Port Harcourt corridors, as well as the Onitsha-Orlu road, Isiala Mbano-Aba Branch down to 7 and half axis and the Orlu-Mgbe-Akokwa road leading towards Awka in Anambra State.
He said the massive road projects had not only improved transportation and connectivity but had also opened up rural communities, enhanced commercial activities and created opportunities for economic growth.
The APC chieftain also commended the governor for what he described as his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and digital skills development.
He said the various training and retraining programmes implemented through the state’s digital technology initiatives had provided young people with valuable skills to compete in the modern economy.
According to him, beneficiaries of some of the programmes are also provided with computers and start-up support to enable them to establish businesses and become economically self-reliant after completing their training.
Ojoh maintained that the approach had helped to move youth empowerment beyond mere distribution of relief materials to the provision of sustainable skills and tools capable of creating long-term livelihoods.
The Ikeduru-born technocrat further commended Governor Uzodimma for his administration’s efforts in the power sector, particularly the Light-Up Imo initiative and other electricity-related interventions.
He said the initiatives had contributed to improved lighting in communities through solar-powered streetlights, adding that reliable electricity remained critical to the growth of small and medium-scale businesses and the creation of employment opportunities for young people.
Ojoh described the governor’s leadership as a demonstration of “sagacity, courage and commitment,” saying that the achievements recorded by the administration had, in his view, disproved earlier criticisms and doubts about its capacity to transform the state.
He said: “A good name is better than gold and silver. Governor Hope Uzodimma has written his name in gold through the projects and policies of his administration.
“Today, people can see the transformation taking place across the state. There are improvements in roads, infrastructure, youth empowerment and other sectors. These are things that cannot be hidden.”
Ojoh argued that, apart from the administration of the late former Governor Sam Mbakwe, Imo State had, in his assessment, not witnessed development on the scale he attributed to the Uzodimma administration.
He described the governor as a leader with a “Midas touch,” whose policies, he said, were designed to stimulate development and improve the welfare of the people.
He further urged Imo people and other stakeholders to support policies and programmes capable of sustaining the development momentum in the state, stressing that continuity remained important for long-term economic growth.
Ojoh also called on youths in the state to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the government through skills acquisition, digital technology, entrepreneurship and other empowerment programmes.
He said the future of Imo State depended largely on the ability of its young population to acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
While congratulating Governor Uzodimma on the Daily Times Governor of the Decade Award, Ojoh said the recognition should serve as encouragement for the administration to continue pursuing policies and projects that would improve the lives of the people.
He expressed optimism that sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital and economic development would further position Imo State as a competitive destination for investment and business.
Ojoh concluded that the award was not only a recognition of the governor’s leadership but also an acknowledgement of the development efforts of the people and institutions working with the administration to move Imo State forward.