Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has likened President Bola Tinubu to the late Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew, praising the President’s economic reforms as the necessary catalyst to end Nigeria’s years of stagnation.
The Governor made these remarks during a state dinner at the Government House, Owerri, which marked the conclusion of a three-day national media tour inspecting various federal and state projects. The tour, organized by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Communications Team, brought together over 40 senior editors and journalists to evaluate developmental strides in the state.
Defending the administration’s economic policies, which have faced significant scrutiny, Governor Uzodimma argued that the President assumed office with a clear mandate to reform the nation. Drawing a biblical parallel, he compared Nigeria’s pre-reform economic state to the “bondage” of the Israelites, suggesting that President Tinubu’s “bold decisions” were painful but vital steps toward long-term prosperity.
“The old order is gone and there is now a new order,” Uzodimma stated. “President Tinubu knew exactly what he came to do. He started implementing the reforms immediately because he understood the task before him.”
While acknowledging that the reforms initially caused hardship, the Governor insisted that the policy shift is already yielding positive results, specifically by increasing revenues available for infrastructure and human capital investment.
Governor Uzodimma credited the “Renewed Hope Agenda” for the transformation occurring across Imo State. Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how increased FAAC allocations are being translated into “impactful projects” through strong collaboration between the Federal and Imo State governments.
The delegation inspected several major infrastructure projects, including:
- The Imo Digital City
- A 2,000-bed Infectious Disease Centre
- The Heart Transplant Centre in Orlu
- The University of Innovation, Science and Technology in Omuma
- The expansion of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre
- The Orlu-Akokwa-Uga Border Road
Speaking on behalf of the visiting media, veteran journalist Dr. Soni Daniel commended the Governor for his “remarkable developmental strides.” Daniel noted that the projects offered firsthand evidence of the administration’s focus on healthcare, education, and digital technology, further describing the development as a prudent use of public resources that positions Imo as a leading state in national economic transformation.
Looking toward the 2027 political horizon, Governor Uzodimma expressed confidence that the tangible benefits of the administration’s policies would become increasingly clear to the public, predicting that Nigerians would reward President Tinubu with a second term in office.
