Governor Hope Uzodimma has raised the bar for gender inclusion and civil service reform in Imo State with the swearing-in of 24 new permanent secretaries—13 women and 11 men. The event, held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Government House Owerri, has been widely described as a bold statement on equality and governance efficiency.
The governor’s decision to appoint more women than men into this strategic leadership cadre marks a historic milestone in the state’s civil service history. Observers say this reflects Uzodimma’s long-standing commitment to gender balance, capacity building, and administrative excellence.
To further empower the newly appointed permanent secretaries, Governor Uzodimma handed each of them a brand new official vehicle. The distribution of the cars was done immediately after the oath-taking ceremony, drawing loud applause from their families, friends, and government officials present.
The Governor, while addressing the appointees, urged them to see their new roles as a call to service and a responsibility to drive Imo State’s development agenda. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and teamwork as critical expectations from his administration.
Sources at the event noted that the inclusion of 13 women out of 24 total appointments was not accidental. Uzodimma stated that he was intentional about giving women more leadership space to reflect their growing contributions to the state’s progress.
The governor’s gesture has earned him fresh accolades across political and social circles, with many citizens and women advocacy groups hailing the move as a progressive step towards gender equity in public service.
Imo residents took to social media to celebrate the development, describing it as evidence that “Imo is indeed a state with HOPE for the future.”
