By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

6- NOV- 2025

The Imo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has announced a strategic financial intervention to revive the long-abandoned Inyishi Aluminium Company in Ikeduru Local Government Area. The State Executive Council approved a N500 million lifeline to restore operations at the industrial facility, which has remained inactive for several decades, signaling a renewed commitment to industrial rejuvenation and job creation.

At a press briefing following the council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, disclosed that the approval reflects the government’s plan to stimulate economic activity through resuscitation of dormant industries, particularly those capable of revitalizing local manufacturing and employment.

In addition to the revival fund, the council also approved the construction of 40 strategic roads across the three senatorial zones — Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri. This move forms part of the administration’s comprehensive rural development agenda, focused on enhancing accessibility, improving transportation networks, and stimulating grassroots economic growth in all 27 local government areas.

To further enhance public sector efficiency, the council sanctioned the procurement of new government vehicles to support seamless administrative operations across ministries and agencies.

Emelumba noted that the administration has set up an inter-ministerial committee tasked with designing a development blueprint to ensure equitable infrastructural deployment, bridging the gap between urban and rural communities and ensuring balanced growth.

He further disclosed that the council has approved a 15 percent consultancy fee to Trace Wide Consult for its successful efforts in the review and recovery of unpaid liquefied natural gas dividends and oil revenues dating back to January 1999.

Speaking on digital innovation, the Commissioner announced the commencement of recruitment for the fourth batch of the Skill-Up Imo Project. Interested applicants were encouraged to apply through the MyImoApp, which is available free of charge to residents.

In a related development, the state government awarded a contract to Imo Digital City for the management of Land Information Services and the digitalisation of all land-related transactions for the next 25 years. All land transactions in the state, he said, would now be conducted electronically and through cashless systems.

On preparations for the upcoming Imo Economic and Investment Summit scheduled for December 4–5, Emelumba revealed that a dedicated committee has been inaugurated, and at least 13 financial institutions are expected to participate as partners and sponsors.

He also confirmed that the newly refurbished Imo Concord Hilton Hotel would be opened to the public before Christmas. The iconic hospitality facility has been redesigned to attract visitors and holidaymakers within Nigeria and the diaspora.

In a solemn announcement, Emelumba conveyed the council’s sadness over the death of Dr. Daniel Ogacheke, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment. He stated that a government delegation would attend the burial and offer financial support to the bereaved family.

Providing an update on the state’s electricity infrastructure, the Commissioner for Power and Electrification, Nwabueze Ogushienti, informed the public that the upgrade of power transmission infrastructure is in progress. The first phase includes the

The SSA to Governor Soludo on New Media, Dr Mazi Ejimofor Opara has replied the Catholic Clergyman, Fade Angelo Chidi, over his recent criticism on Governor Soludo.

Fada Angelo Chidi had earlier accused Prof Chukwuma Soludo, of trying to water down the stance of Donald Trump on Christian Genocide when Governor Soludo mentioned that he knows the full identity of the terrorists in Southeast.

The Catholic priest asked why Soludo hasn’t arrested or stopped any of the terrorists if he claims he knows them. Fada Angelo in his statement asserted that Soludo is destroying his own legacy just to be in the good books of APC

In his response to Fada Angelo Chidi, The SSA to Governor Soludo, Mazi Ejimofor first corrected The priest by stating that “You don’t arrest terrorists! You send them to their maker.”

Ejimofor revealed that some of the communities in Anambra where some unknown guπmen have invaded, are the Parishioners of priest and that the priest’s ignorance enabled this invasion. According to Ejimofor

“Those of them in Orsumoghu, Lilu, Mbosi, Uli and Ukpor were your Parishioners. The very ones your deliberate ignorance enabled. You baptized them and they bore names like “Emmanuel, Peter, Angelo, Paul” etc.”

“They got into the bushes and you further baptized them and named them UGM… Soludo unmasked them after they had keeled innocent people, burnt houses and destroyed churches… I am sure Bishop Jonas Benson would gladly point you to some of their houses.”

Mazi Ejimofor further asserted that Governor Charles did what the priest Failed to do by unmasking the true identity of these criminals. Ejimofor implicitly stated that fada Angelo Chidi, has lost his focus by abandoning the Gospel which he is called to preach, to seek for followers on Facebook and maybe the money that comes from engagement on his page.

“Soludo has done what Priests like you have failed to do. You have abandoned the gospel for inanities while these “Terror!sts” have introduced idolatry posing the biggest threat to the Christian faith. Yet, you are here on Facebook seeking for follow, mentions and traffic. And may be, Meta money! Continue Padre!”

I extend my warmest felicitations to Dr Reuben Abati, renowned journalist and former presidential adviser, on his 60th birthday, November 7, 2025.

A public intellectual, author, columnist, law graduate and broadcaster, Dr Abati has distinguished himself wherever he has traversed: in the university as a student and later as a Graduate Assistant, as Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, as a writer and presently as a television anchor.

His insightful articles, regular interventions and television analyses have continued to enlighten and inspire.

I commend Dr Abati for his service to Nigeria as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, as well as his outstanding contributions to the media.

Dr Abati’s patriotism and passion as a public commentator who consistently brings his creativity, versatility and cross-sectoral experience to bear on issues of national interest, both on traditional and social media, are noteworthy.

I congratulate Dr Abati, whom I fondly call Rubi Rubi, on the presentation of three books on his birthday, titled: “Portraits: People, Politics and Society”, “A Love Letter and Other Stories”, and “How Goodluck Jonathan Became President”.

I join the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), family members, and friends in celebrating this notable writer.

On this occasion of Abati’s 60th birthday, I pray that Almighty God grant him a longer life, good health, and the inspiration to continue serving the nation and humanity.

Happy Birthday, Rubi!
Bola Tinubu,
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

November 7, 2025