Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State took his campaign to Imo State University on Monday, where he criticized his administration’s critics for their insistence on maintaining the old order for their selfish interests.
During an interactive session with the staff, management, and students of the institution, Uzodimma emphasized his commitment to meritocracy. He stated that he carefully reviews every document before appending his signature, acknowledging that one day he might be called upon to account for his actions as governor.
While addressing both staff and students, Uzodimma urged them to vote according to their conscience and emphasized that he would not force anyone to vote against their will.
He revealed that he inherited an embarrassing debt profile of N280 billion when he assumed office in January 2020. The frequent demands for salary increases by workers led him to establish a committee to negotiate between labour and the state government on contentious issues. He increased the minimum wage to N40,000 and assured that further salary increases would be contingent on the availability of funds.
The Governor vowed not to sacrifice merit for mediocrity, nepotism, or favouritism in appointing government functionaries. He stated that he conducts thorough searches and inquiries before making appointments to ensure the right people are in the right positions.
He challenged anyone accusing him of personal aggrandizement or the improper accumulation of public property to provide verifiable facts to support their claims. Uzodimma also explained that the adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system had blocked all financial leakages despite detractors’ criticism.
Uzodimma commended the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Uchenna Chukwumaeze, for his exemplary performance and expressed his commitment to grant financial autonomy to all tertiary institutions in the state while pledging continued support to the institution.
He advised students to take their studies seriously and avoid behaviours that could harm their future as leaders.
Uzodimma announced a donation of a vehicle to the Students Union Government of the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaze, and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, commended the Governor for establishing three universities in the state, donating books worth over N15 million, offering automatic employment to some graduates, providing handsets to graduating and post-graduating students, scholarships to some students, and ensuring regular payment of staff salaries.
They urged the University community to show their appreciation by voting for the Governor in the upcoming November 11 governorship election.
The highlight of the interactive session was the presentation of a Merit Award to the Governor by the Students Union Government of the institution.
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