Imo@50: Tinubu hails Imo as Nigeria’s intellectual engine

President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, paid special tribute to Imo, describing the state as the “intellectual engine and cornerstone” of Nigeria.

The president praised the state for its “significant contributions to the country’s leadership and cultural heritage”.

He spoke in Owerri during the grand finale of Imo at 50 celebrations and the unveiling of a compendium, detailing the state’s milestones.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, lauded Imo’s 50-year legacy of producing citizens, who have shaped lives globally.

He said that the state consistently supplies Nigeria with “leaders of vision and courage”, who serve far beyond their state borders.

He particularly eulogised the former Governor of the state, late Sam Mbakwe, and Gov. Hope Uzodimma for their “passion and empathy” for the development and progress of the Heartland state.

“Beyond politics, Imo has shaped Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural imagination,” Tinubu said, citing Chief Flora Nwapa as the “revered mother of modern African literature”.

He said that the state’s cultural power stems from decades of refined intellect.

“This influence is sustained by an enduring respect for life and community values,” he said.

He highlighted the state’s massive impact on Nollywood, music, comedy, agriculture, commerce, and hospitality which, he said, had remained vital to the national economy.

Tinubu said that the golden jubilee should be a “launching pad”, to sustain peace, unity, and good governance for the next generation.

In his address, Uzodimma said that the state had evolved from “small beginnings” into a sophisticated hub.

In a related development, Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended Imo’s exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s political, intellectual, and economic development in the past five decades.

Shettima made the commendation on Saturday during the Golden Jubilee celebration of Imo State, held in Owerri, the state capital.

The Vice-president, who described the state as a critical partner in the nation’s progress, lauded the state’s political leadership and intellectual contributions.

Similarly, Shettima applauded Imo’s talents in the creative industry, and strength in agriculture, particularly palm oil production, saying the Southeastern state has consistently enriched Nigeria.

He extended President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill, assuring the state of its front-line seat at the national table.

Shettima praised Gov. Hope Uzodimma, whom he described as a game-changing revolutionary in Imo’s modern political history.

He credited the governor with restoring discipline, planning, and institutional strength to governance in the state.

“Gov. Uzodimma has distinguished himself as more than a custodian of the present. He is a leader who understands that governance is not theatre, but duty.

“Under his watch, Imo has rediscovered the discipline of planning, the courage of reform, and the confidence to re-enter the national conversation as a state prepared for relevance,” he said.

Shettima traced Imo’s legacy of leadership from Dr Kingsley  Mbadiwe, whose “flamboyant command of language enriched Nigeria’s political memory.

Shettima also celebrated the state’s contributions to Nollywood through actors such as Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, and Kanayo O. Kanayo.

“As well as music icon, Onyeka Onwenu, who “placed the Nigerian sound on the world stage with grace and conviction.”

On economic development, the Vice-President acknowledged Imo’s strengths in agriculture, particularly palm oil production at the historic Ada Palm Plantation.

He further spoke on the state’s educational infrastructure, including the Federal University of Technology Owerri and Imo State University, describing education as Imo’s greatest industry.

“Literacy rates remain among the highest in the nation, and graduates from Imo compete confidently across every field,” VP Shettima stated.

He highlighted emerging opportunities in Imo’s oil and gas sector in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta, as well as growth potential in agro-processing, renewable energy, mineral processing, tourism, and the digital economy.

 

The Vice-President praised the emergence of Owerri as a major hospitality hub with one of the highest concentrations of hotels and entertainment centres in Nigeria.

He urged the state to use the golden jubilee as a launching pad for the next 50 years, saying unity must be renewed.

 

Responding, Uzodimma said Imo would continue to grow as well as embrace digital transformation in the next 50 years, noting that the creation of the state in 1976 enunciated freedom.

 

The governor thanked God for sustaining the state for 50 years, expressing strong conviction that ahead lies a great hope for the State.

“We have made significant progress both as a people and as a state. There is no doubt that we are growing fast in unity, resilience and reliance on God.

“We have seen Owerri transform from a town into a hub. What has kept us united is the indomitable spirit of the Imo people,” Uzodimma stated.

On his part, Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, commended the hard work of Uzodimma in transforming the state through the execution of various developmental projects.

 

“His administration has impacted Imo State in many ways. For example, in transportation, finance, agriculture and other key sectors.

 

Uzodimma’s administration has left an admirable legacy in Imo State, making a significant contribution to the wider Nigerian economy,” he said.

 

Chief Anyaoku prayed for progress in Nigeria’s political evolution, depicting more of unity, just as he said election constitutes a fundamental process of democracy.

 

On his part, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), thanked Imo for helping in moulding his life, having spent the early part of his life in Imo State.

The traditional ruler praised Governor Uzodinma “for showcasing Imo State to the World.”

 

Also, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, prayed for the progress of Imo State and Nigeria as well as sustained unity across the country.

Recalling the state’s creation in 1976, he further said that Owerri had transformed from a “provincial town” into a metropolitan centre.

The governor highlighted the state’s massive fiscal leap, pointing out that the state budget grew from N259 million in 1976 to a “Budget of Economic Breakthrough”, totalling N1.4 trillion in 2026.

He attributed the growth to disciplined reforms and support of Tinubu’s administration.

He said the future wealth of the state would come from 65,000 youths, who have been trained in Artificial Intelligence and robotics through the “Skill-up Imo” programme.

 

“This initiative aims to position the state as Africa’s premier digital corridor,” he said.

The governor also celebrated the Orashi Power Project, saying that the state had officially begun its “exit from the generator economy”, to secure energy sovereignty for industrial growth.

 

He emphasised the need for stakeholders and political actors in the state to abandon individual interest for collect interest.

“Our politics should be a vehicle for development and a bridge for unity, putting the collective interest of Imo above individual ambition,” he said.

Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, urged the National Assembly to reverse its decision on the electronic transmission of votes.

Anyaoku also commended Uzodimma for the infrastructure development of the state, saying that his administration had clearly left admirable legacy for the people.

He called for a political progress in the country to address the insecurity, and unity of citizens.