Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has urged residents to remain vigilant and actively protect the state, warning that security gains recorded over the past year must not be taken for granted despite a significant reduction in crime.
The governor made the call in his New Year message to the people of Imo, declaring that the era of politically motivated insecurity had passed, while crediting improved peace to collective action rather than chance. He said the calm currently enjoyed across the state was the result of a deliberate resolve to reclaim Imo from violence.
Uzodimma cautioned, however, that enemies of progress still exist and may attempt to destabilise the state for political reasons. Stressing that freedom requires constant alertness, he urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies to prevent a return to what he described as “darker years”.
Describing Imo as irreplaceable, the governor appealed for unity and responsibility among citizens, warning those promoting division for personal gain to reconsider their actions. He said undermining the system ultimately harms everyone who depends on it.
Reflecting on his administration’s achievements in 2025, Uzodimma highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the commissioning of the Assumpta twin flyovers in Owerri by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he said had eased traffic congestion and marked a turning point in the city’s urban renewal.
He also pointed to the completion of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, the reconstruction of the Owerri–Mbaise–Obowo–Umuahia road corridor, and the upward review of the state’s minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦104,000. In addition, he said ₦16 billion was released to clear part of long-standing gratuity arrears owed to retirees.
Looking ahead to 2026, the governor said the state would implement its ₦1.4 trillion “Budget of Economic Breakthrough”, focusing on power, health, agriculture, education and food security. He added that new AI-driven security technologies had strengthened the capacity of security agencies to prevent crime, while initiatives in digital skills and innovation positioned Imo as an emerging economic growth hub.
