*What I Saw In Imo Is Inspiring – Deputy Secretary-General
By our reporter
International validation for the good work he is doing in Imo State came for Governor Hope Uzodimma as the United Nations (UN) dropped words of admiration over his service delivery in the South-East heartland State.
During a visit today, UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, showered encomiums on the governor for strides made in digital transformation, youth empowerment, economic diversification, and public sector reforms.
She described the State’s initiatives as a strong foundation for sustainable development.
Leading a high-powered UN delegation to Gov. Uzodimma at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Owerri, the state capital, the UN top shot noted that Imo State’s strategic investments in education, digital skills, power infrastructure, and administrative reforms are creating competitive enterprises, productive jobs, and resilient communities.
With four years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the delegation stressed that State-level progress remains critical to translating global goals into accessible healthcare, quality education, and decent livelihoods for citizens.
“What I saw in Imo is inspiring,” the UN Deputy Secretary gushed, expressing admiration too over the rapid progress recorded in youth development and technological empowerment.
The delegation noted that the young people encountered during the visit demonstrated remarkable determination and readiness to drive the emerging digital economy initiated by the Uzodimma administration.
The UN team also highlighted the need to strengthen energy systems, expand access to climate finance, and build robust supply chains linking local producers directly to broader markets, and promised support where necessary to meet the needs of the populace in critical areas.
They emphasised that investments in human capital must be matched with sustained social protection and quality healthcare to yield maximum impact.
Responding, Gov. Uzodimma explained that his administration intentionally prioritised technology as a “catalyst to tackle unemployment, enhance security, and shift the State away from over-reliance on the public sector.”
Under the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA), the governor disclosed that thousands of youths have been trained and integrated into the global tech ecosystem as software developers, cybersecurity analysts, and artificial intelligence (AI) specialists.
”Our goal goes beyond basic training; we are equipping our young people to build sustainable businesses, innovate solutions, and compete in the global knowledge economy,” Uzodimma stated.
He further outlined State-level energy initiatives—including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) adoption, electric vehicle deployment, and independent power projects—aimed at delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to homes and businesses across Imo.
Some Commissioners in the Uzodimma administration took time to explain to the UN delegation what the State is doing uniquely to better the lot of the people and enhance good living standards in the society.
For instance, Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chiemezie Amadi, stressed that the current administration has abandoned traditional empowerment schemes, such as distributing motorcycles and tricycles in favour of high-value technical capacity building.
Dr. Amadi cited the story of Adanna, a young graduate who trained in phone repair technology under the State’s programme, and subsequently launched a thriving enterprise in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area (LGA), demonstrating how tech skills are driving economic growth in rural areas.
”Imo is transitioning from a traditional civil-service State into a net exporter of digital talent,” Amadi noted, calling on the UN and international development partners to deepen support in AI, entrepreneurship, and venture capital access.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Gas Development, Barr. Emeka Mgbudem, said Imo State has unveiled an ambitious clean energy strategy to replace expensive Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) with Low-Pressure Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG/ANG) for household cooking.
The State’s Chief Economic Adviser, Prof Kenneth Ameshi, urged the UN Development Program (UNDP) to partner with Imo in upscaling community-based cooperative enterprise called OKOBI (One Kindred One Business Initiative) to generate 500,000 jobs by 2030.
Ameshi, who is the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, revealed that the State’s 20-month collective entrepreneurship model has already established 600 profit-oriented businesses employing over 20,000 residents.
He appealed for blended finance, business incubation, and market access support to ensure sustainable economic development.
Prof Ameshi highlighted that capturing flared natural gas could slash monthly cooking expenses by 69%, reducing costs from ₦20,500 to ₦6,500 per family.
Operating at a safer 20–40 pounds per square inch (PSI), the initiative pairs smart cylinder-tracking technology with local last-mile delivery to combat deforestation, eliminate indoor air pollution, and boost economic relief across West Africa.
Ameshi urged stronger UNDP partnership to expand community-based businesses and create jobs.
He said the OKOBI initiative has established about 600 cooperative enterprises, employing over 20,000 people.
With a target of 500,000 jobs by 2030, he sought financing, technical support, incubation and market access.
On his part, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu brought the attention of the UN delegation to what the government had done in the area of health, both primary and secondary healthcare, noting that partnership with development partners
was key to sustaining the foundation the governor had laid in the healthcare sector in Imo State.
Adding her voice, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Chinenyenwa Owuamalam, highlighted Imo State’s commitment to aligning its 3R Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), pointing out that key achievements span infrastructure, digital innovation, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
She commended the state’s First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma’s initiative, GF-USI, for advancing gender equality and supporting vulnerable women, emphasising ongoing SDG school awareness, environmental programmes, and inter-agency partnerships aimed at deepening collaboration with the UN so no one is left behind.
The visit concluded with a joint commitment between the State Government and UN to consolidate partnerships in infrastructure, clean energy, and technical assistance to accelerate economic growth across all LGAs.
Alongside the UN Deputy Secretary General were Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah; Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary-General, Hadiza Elayo, and Deputy Director, Sustainable Development Unit; UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong; and Country Representative for the International Labour Organization (ILO), Dr. Vanessa Phala,
Imo State Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru; Deputy Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyawu; and members of the State Expanded Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Cosmas Iwu attended the event.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Uzodimma (l)
with the UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, when the latter led a delegation on a working visit to the Governor at Government House Owerri…today.
