As the government and people of Imo State celebrate 50th anniversary of the state’s creation, the Chairman of Imo-Anambra River Basin Development, Senator Emma Anosike, has commended Governor Hope Uzodinma for restoring peace in all communities as well as for his remarkable achievements in other sectors.

Anosike gave the commendation in Abuja Tuesday, while speaking to newsmen on developments in Imo State and Uzodinma’s six years in office and noted that as the Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum, Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum and Director General of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Uzodinma has helped immensely, in taking the South East to the central corridors of power in Nigeria, which he said has also translated into various dividends of democracy under President Bola Tinubu in terms of appointments and infrastructural development.

He recalled the precarious security situation in Imo some years back, saying that Governor Uzodinma inherited a state that was burdened with serious security challenges but was able to address the problem with the launch of Operation Search and Flush, an outfit which has now ensured 24 hours surveillance on all parts of the State by a combined team of security agencies as well as constant engagements and dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders across the communities.

He noted that Governor Uzodinma has been equipping security operatives in the state with operational vehicles and other state-of- the art facilities, including communication gadgets and others.

“I wish to join my good people of Imo, in celebrating 50 years of the creation of the State. What has happened in the past 50 years, is a testimony that the creation of Imo State was a step in the right direction as it has led to developments getting into rural areas.

“But beyond that, I want to specifically commend my brother, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who has, in the past six years as Governor, made huge impact in the lives of the people through massive achievements both in urban transformation and grassroots empowerment.

“I dare to say that, Hope has surpassed the achievements of all previous governors of Imo State put together, in terms of rapid development and transformation as well as fair appointments which has ensured that all communities are carried along. All well-meaning citizens, especially Imolites are highly impressed with the measures taken by Governor Uzodinma to address issues of youth festiveness and insecurity which he inherited from previous administrations,” Anosike said.

Anosike praised Governor Uzodinma’s governance philosophy which centered on ‘Shared Prosperity and anchored on 3-R- Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery, saying, through that, victims of leadership deficit in the State have been compensated through provision of social amenities like quality roads, health facilities, water, schools and others.

He added that Governor Uzodinma has invested hugely in the welfare of people, by making Imo become the best place to work in Nigeria with the highest minimum of N110,000 which he has been paying his its announcement, the same with increase in pension, salaries of doctors and other medical personnel.

Other remarkable strides of the Imo State Governor in that area, according to Anosike include seamless payment of salaries and pensions through an automated payroll system; free bus shuttle; free medicals, including health insurance scheme for serving and retired workers; official vehicles for Permanent Secretaries; capacity training/retraining of workers; elevation of workers whose promotions were stagnated for more than 12 years and the introduction of the 13th month salary, the first time in the history of Imo State.

On employment, Anosike praised Governor Hope Uzodinma for revitalizing many moribund industries like the Ada-palm project, mining sites and huge investment in agriculture which he said has led to empowerment of young people and women, thousands of who have undergone various skill-acquisition training programmes with cash support as start-up grants.

Praising Governor Hope Uzodinma for the various road projects initiated and completed across communities in the State, Senator Anosike mentioned in particular, the Governors deployment of modern technology to bring the issue of flooding in Owerri, the state capital to and end, saying many landlords had abandoned their properties in the city before the current administration came to office.

Senator Anosike also scored Governor Hope Uzodinma very high on the economic sector, and recalled that data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the World Bank, all show that Imo State under his leadership is the fourth biggest economy in Nigeria with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of N7.658 trillion as well as one of the best destinations for business and investments in Nigeria.

He also noted that Imo is currently ranked as having the highest density of hospitality industry; largest palm oil plantation in West Africa and biggest natural gas reserve in the subregion, while the state’s real estate, especially the Owerri Metropolis Land and Properties, are now the most sought-after in terms of high return on investments in Nigeria.

Nine persons from the same family have been kidnapped by gunmen in Edo State.

The victims include five school children, a nursing mother and her baby, and two others.

The father of the victims, who identified himself as Mr Festus Bamidele, said they were abducted on Monday, February 2, 2026, at about 5:00 pm while returning from school.

Bamidele said the abductors, however, released the nursing mother and the baby after the rainfall that fell on the fateful day.

He said the family became aware of the incident when the nursing mother and the baby got home.

He said through the assistance of the leadership of vigilante and Mobil Police at Evboneka community, three other victims who are in pre-kindergaten classes were rescued.

He said the incident happened between Eko-Abeku-Iyowa road, within Evboneka community, along the Benin-Akure road.

Bamidele explained that four others, who are between the ages of 11 and 26 years, are still being held captive by the kidnappers.

Former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT),Abdulrasheed Maina, has been hospitalised after slumping on Tuesday outside his office.

Confirming the development in a statement, his media aide, Nweke said Maina lost his balance while attempting to access the office, fell on the staircase, hit his head, and passed out.

The aide attributed the incident to complications arising from an untreated knee injury the former pension reform boss has reportedly been battling.

“The incident occurred following complications from an untreated knee injury, which caused him to lose balance and fall, resulting in his head hitting the staircase,” the statement said.

He explained that medical personnel at the scene promptly administered first aid before Maina was rushed to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent medical attention.

“Dr Maina is currently receiving close medical care and remains under observation,” Nweke added. “Following a preliminary medical assessment, one of the attending doctors advised that arrangements be considered for an air ambulance medical evacuation should his condition not stabilise within a short period.”