The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was on Monday sworn in for a second tenure along with his deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru.
Uzodimma, who is the seventh elected governor of the state, and was elected on the All Progressives Congress political platform, was sworn in around 3.47 pm on Monday, while his deputy took the oath of office around 3:30 pm.
Both the governor and the deputy governor were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka.
The occasion was graced by President Bola Tinubu and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Other dignitaries present included the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Others included former governors Rochas Okorocha and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe; King Jaja of Opobo, Dandeson Douglas Jaja, and Etsu of Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, among others.
In his speech, Uzodimma showered encomiums on the people of the state for their massive support and votes for him during the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
Uzodimma, who described the massive support of the people as a social contract, promised not to disappoint them during his second tenure.
He said, “I must deliver shared posterity mantra through massive infrastructure development in the state. I assure you that the success recorded in the last four years of my administration will certainly be dwarfed by the success that will be recorded in the second term.”
He promised that the policy thrust of his administration would be centred on the provision of more infrastructure and the welfare of workers, including the prompt payment of salaries.
He announced the introduction of the Community Economic Development Initiative for rural communities in the 27 local government areas of the state.
With the new programme, every community, according to the governor, would be expected to own one significant project in their localities.
To the people of the state, Uzodimma called on everyone to key into building the Imo State of their dream, saying the state belonged to all.
He urged the people of the state to think of what to contribute to building a new Imo State rather than leaving it to the government alone.
Uzodimma pledged to provide an enabling environment for the would-be-investors in the state, adding that his second tenure would transform Imo State into an industrial hub of the South-East.