Political and business heavyweights in Nigeria will converge on Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Monday, 15 January, for the second term inauguration of Senator Hope Uzodimma as governor.
Uzodimma, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the 11 November 2023 Imo State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after he polled 540,308 votes and won in all the 27 local government areas of the state.
Ahead of the inauguration, the entire state is in a celebratory mood, while Owerri, the state capital, is wearing a new look, according to a press release issued by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, on Wednesday.
Nwachuku said that Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the swearing-in ceremony, has been put in order for the big event while activities are in high gear to ensure a smooth ceremony.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, told newsmen that efforts were being made to achieve a hitch-free event.
He disclosed that the governor did set up an all-encompassing committee of more than 100 prominent persons from Imo State and beyond, across party lines, to organise a seamless inauguration ceremony.
The committee is chaired by Senator Chris Anyanwu and Co-chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, who also doubles as Secretary of the Committee.
Emelumba noted that the inauguration would be preceded by a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, 14 January 2024, at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, to be presided over by the Metropolitan See of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.
He explained that there would be a state banquet at Government House, Owerri, shortly after the inauguration on Monday.
Dignitaries across the country have been invited to the event, while supporters from across the 27 local government areas are also expected at the ceremony, the Commissioner said.
“It will be a momentous event as Imo people are joyously awaiting the ceremony. We are working hard on crowd control because our supporters across the 27 local government areas are all eager to attend the ceremony,” he said.
