History was made in Imo State on Friday  May 9, 2025, as the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, for the first time, hosted international flight from the airport, lifting initial three hundred and fifteen (315) intending pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The excitement that heralded the inaugural flight and formal flag off ceremony of the 2025 Hajj Operations reverberated everywhere in Imo State with encomia pouring in for Governor Hope Uzodimma from the high and mighty, particularly from Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, both of who took active part in the inaugural ceremony.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, the Vice President who commended Governor Uzodimma for exhibiting high sense of  patriotism and religious tolerance noting that the Governor is a bridge builder.

He equally described Governor Uzodimma as a man who “radiates hope for the nation,” and has an “overall interest of Ndigbo to heart.”

His words: “Governor Uzodimma radiates hope of the nation. He is a bridge builder and has a wonderful destiny. The President has a defender, goalkeeper, attacker and goal scorer in Governor Uzodimma.”

The Vice President who sought for a resounding ovation from the crowd for Governor Uzodimma noted that Ndigbo have always been at the centre of unity and development of the nation, as critical stakeholders.

He reassured the Igbo of the love of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that the “Igbos remain in the heart of the federal government.”

He reminded the intending pilgrims of the spiritual essence of Hajj exercise and the need to abide by the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while remaining ambassadors of Nigeria during the pilgrimage.

Senator Shettima used the occasion to call on all Nigerians to foster religious tolerance and live in harmony with one another.

in his speech, a happy Governor Uzodimma said that by hosting the inaugural flight, Imo State government has laid the foundation for a sustainable growth.

The State Governor said that hosting the inaugural flight/flag off ceremony of the 2025 Hajj operation in Imo marked a major step in the economic agenda of the State.

He disclosed that his administration is in further discussions with commercial airlines to include Imo in their international flight networks. “Opening Imo State to to the world is a major step in our economic agenda,” the governor stressed.

Senator Uzodimma who went down memory lane on how the Airport was built over 40

year ago through communal efforts and contributions from Imo indigenes, noted that on assumption of office in 2020, his administration made deliberate efforts to reposition the Airport and make it ready for international operations by intentionally providing the facilities that were hitherto lacking.

He thanked President Tinubu for the approvals that made it possible, as well as Minister of Aviation and the National Hajj Commission for the approval that Imo State should be venue for the flag off of the 2025 Hajj operations.

He wished the Pilgrims a memorable stay in Saudi Arabia and urged them to be good ambassadors of their home country.

Earlier, the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullah Usman had said that Governor Uzodimma’s readiness to host the flag off ceremony shows the level of religious tolerance and harmony in the State.

He disclosed that a total of 64,188 Muslim pilgrims will be air lifted for 2025 hajj exercise, while the first batch of 315 will be lifted from Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.

Prof. Usman assured the intending pilgrims that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure their safety and welfare and urged them to follow the guidelines put in place for maximum security and protection.

Other goodwill messages came from the House of Representatives Committee on Pilgrimage, represented by Hon. Jafaru Ali, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, represented by Senator Sani Bello Abubakar , and from the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, represented by its Chairman, the Sultan of Sokoto ,Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

The Sultan had commended Governor Uzodimma for all his efforts to unite Nigerians wherever they have found themselves, insisting that the Governor’s effort to ensure that the flag off of the Hajj operations took place in Imo State was a big statement about the unity of Nigeria.

The Sultan said that there was need to restore the South East to the peaceful status she has always been known for.

He urged the Pilgrims to pray for the Governor, the President, Nigeria and Nigerians, and to ensure that they obey the laws of the country they are visiting for the Hajj, and present themselves as good ambassadors of Nigeria.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the inspection of the Air Peace and Allied Air airlines that were on ground to airlift the intending pilgrims.

The event was well attended by top government officials from both the federal and state governments, security chiefs, All Progressives Congress chieftains, business moguls, traditional rulers, among others.

Governor Hope Uzodimma has extolled the youths in Imo State for rejecting the things that could cause insecurity in the State, saying that their collective efforts against insecurity has contributed in making the State a destination for investment and tourism.

Governor Uzodimma spoke weekend when he joined the youths to flag off their Marathon Race tagged, “Run for Peace,” in Owerri.

The youths in Imo  State had embarked on the  “Run for Peace” exercise to support the efforts of Governor Uzodimma in promoting peace and security in the State.

The programme which was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Talent Hunt, was formally flagged off by the Governor, some federal and State lawmakers, and other top government officials at the Government House roundabout Owerri, the take off point for the race.

Governor Uzodimma had extolled the efforts of Imo youths in combating insecurity, saying it helped in making Imo State “an attractive destination for investment and tourism.”

Earlier in his remarks while welcoming the Governor to the event, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt,  Dr. Emeka Ukaegbu said that the exercise aims to promote peace within the State.

He used the opportunity to encourage investors to see Imo State as their preferred destination, assuring them that “Imo is safe and provides peaceful environment for business.”

Ukaegbu emphasised that the participation of 2000 youths in the programme underscores their commitment to peace and their rejection of insecurity.

The Marathon was planned to reward the first female and first male to reach the finish line with the sum of N500, 000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) respectively, while consolation prizes will go to the 20 runners up.

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has warned that Local Government Chairmen and Councillors who could not reside in their council areas should be thinking of resigning their positions.

Senator Uzodimma read the riot act Saturday May 10, 2025 during a stakeholders meeting held at the Imo Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, Mbari Owerri.

The meeting was the 10th in the five years administration of Governor Uzodimma.

The Governor explained that the meeting was devoid of politics, but to interact with stakeholders in the State and the leadership of the six hundred and fifty six (656) autonomous communities in Imo to take strategic decisions in the greatest interest of the citizenry in the ares of insecurity, education, affordable health care and making life more meaningful to the people.

“There is always a time when citizens come together to take bold decisions for the good interest of the people,” Governor Uzodimma noted.

He stressed the need to have local government administration that must be managed from the Local Government and not from the urban cities. “No government is active without social mobilisation,” he stressed, and called for synergy among all actors in government to move the State forward.

The Governor announced the establishment of Local Government Implementation Committees to take responsibility of ensuring that resolutions reached in strategic areas of security, education, health and youth empowerment are effectively implemented.

He enjoined traditional rulers and community leaders to rise to their responsibility and not allow their communities to be destroyed or over run by hoodlums.

He further announced decision of government to establish a world class health centre in every community and a General Hospital in each local government area to ensure access to health care, and encouraged the leaders to ensure that everyone in the community enrols in the ongoing Imo Social Health Insurance Program. “It is time for you to show leadership and help the people to enrol in the the scheme,” he challenged them.

Senator Uzodimma also encouraged the youths to be positive, remain resolute and think of dignity of labour. “There must be a new thinking for a new Imo to emerge. I want my youth population to think differently.”

He encouraged them to think along the new world order and show interest in being entrepreneurs, leveraging on the State skill acquisition programme.

Also, he equally hinted of policy reforms made to strengthen Imo Housing Corporation and enable public private partnership (PPP) in the provision of housing, but warned that government had taken a decision to demolish unauthorised buildings on government land.

The meeting which was largely interactive as the Governor took questions from different groups in attendance ended with lots of excitement with the generality of the people passing a vote of confidence on the Governor and to stand on his mandate.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chukwuma, members of the National Assembly, members of Imo State House of Assembly, Federal and State government political appointees, elected officials of Local Government, Traditional Rulers, President Generals of communities, youth and women leaders as well as opinion leaders in the State.