BY COLLINS OPUROZOR
Relevant rating boards have continued to release reports which demonstrate how effective the policies of Governor Hope Uzodimma have been in placing Imo among the top performers in Nigeria. The latest ranking of states in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as reported in Business Day of May 23, 2024, which placed Imo as fourth in Nigeria and first in the Southeast, with N7.68 trillion, says it all.
Strictly speaking, this is the best Imo State has attained since its creation in 1976. A decade ago, the state only struggled to be among the top 20. And the struggle had persisted till just about four years ago.
According to Business Day,
“Imo State, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, stands out for its diverse economy and thriving agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing sectors. The state’s strategic location, coupled with government initiatives to promote investment and entrepreneurship, has propelled its economic growth and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s GDP.”
Similarly, in GDP per capita, Imo is fourth in the country and also first in the Southeast region, with 2,996 dollars.
It is important to bear in mind that GDP per capita is one of the most reliable indicators of socio-economic well-being, as it compares the economic performance of various entities and assesses the standard of living of the people.
The question is: How did Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodimma achieve this feat in record time? It is simply the outcome of visionary leadership and formulation and implementation of sound policies. When vision meets passion, the outcome is prosperity!
The Uzodimma administration has completely eradicated public sector corruption, delivered the best road infrastructure in the history of the state, created a digital economy, incentivized youth entrepreneurship and restored the integrity of public institutions. All these are evidenced in the positive ratings which the state now savours.
In summary, these are the five things Imo people should celebrate about the state’s lead in GDP:
- Economic Growth: It indicates that the state’s economy has grown tremendously, with more goods and services being produced.
- Improved Living Standards: A higher GDP per capita correlates with an improved standard of living for the residents, as there is more wealth and resources available.
- Increased Investment: It means more investors and investments, both domestic and foreign, will prefer to come to Imo, as investors often seek areas with strong economic indicators.
- Employment Opportunities: This spate of economic growth will lead to more job opportunities, drastically crashing unemployment rate.
- Poverty Reduction: With more economic activity and wealth, Imo will become an oasis of prosperity, as the overall poverty levels will nosedive.
May Imo continue to win!
Collins Opurozor is the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Electronic and Creative Media
