Saby Elemba in Owerri
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has claimed that the state has taken a leap in economic advancement after recording the fastest growth in the birth of new businesses in Nigeria.
“Out of 36 States and Abuja, Imo State has the highest birth rate of new businesses (70 percent). Imo also has the highest entrepreneur index in the country, including business performance, skill acquisition, innovation and technology adoption and perception of opportunities,” Uzodimma said at a lecture he delivered recently in Lagos.
In a paper titled, “2023–2027: Elected leaders, Nigerians and Expectations”, Uzodimma said the 42 months of his administration has ensured that the economy of the state recorded phenomenal growth.
Declan Emelumba, commissioner for information and strategy, who represented the governor said, under the governor, the state has grown to be the fourth biggest economy in Nigeria with a gross domestic product (GDP) of N7.658 trillion.
He disclosed that statistics available to the government also showed that Imo State has the biggest natural gas reserve in West Africa as well as the highest density of hospitality in Nigeria.
Governor Uzodimma noted that with the giant strides recorded by his administration in road revolution, industries, youth empowerment, education, health and human capital development, Imo State was poised to take its rightful place as one of the investment destination points in Nigeria.
According to him, with Imo State as a case study, it was clear that the elected leaders understood perfectly that only good governance will meet the expectations of Nigerians. The governor was emphatic that Nigerians of the 60s were the same in 2023 as regards their expectations of good governance.
