Nigeria’s Challenges Not Insurmountable – Vice President Osinbajo

Vice President Prof. Yemi  Osinbajo has stressed that the challenges confronting the Nation are not insurmountable as the Federal Government has put in place measures to tackle them.

Speaking at the one anniversary celebration of the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodimma held at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, yesterday the Vice President  said though these challenges are daunting, the government has done a number of positive things to inspire the citizenry. 

“Let me say to Imo people  and Nigerians that the Nation is passing through challenges but in the midst of these challenges, we have done a lot and we are mightier than our challenges.” 

He however admonished Governor Uzodimma to be mindful of  three oppositions namely self opposition, political opposition and time if he intends to go far in his administration.
“There are three opposition, Yourself, Political opposition and time. All these, depend on how you are able to harness them effectively, you will go far.”

He said that it gladdens his heart to join Imo people to mark the milestone in the governor’s  scorecard.

“It is a thing of pleasure to join Imo people in this church service to mark one year anniversary  of my brother the governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodimma, the hope of Imo State, since the state was created in 1976, since then there had been 16 governors and you are the sixtheen which is a remarkable fear in annals of the political history of the state.

“You are here as governor of Imo State, by the special grace of God. God says he honours those who honour him. How can we honour God is to serve your people honestly. 

“Your administration has invested heavily in solid infrastructure which include roads construction of up to 46 roads. I have been told that this year budget of Imo state is tagged budget of wealth creation and that is apt, with what we are seeing you have planned to take Imo to greater heights.”

 Delivering the sermon, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Diocese, His Grace, Anthony Obinna, said at this trying period, God alone is the true source of our consolation not Nigeria or Imo State, he asked retorically,  Is Uzodimma the new hope of Imo to eradicate poverty and put smiles  on the faces of Imo people.m? Is Uzodimma the new hope for payment of salaries and pensions though efforts are been made in this direction? I will also ask, is Uzodimma the saviour that has come to recover the stolen Imo people properties?” 

He advised political leaders and elite to prefer Light to darkness. “Let us prefer light for darkness the preference for vengeance is making us loss direction in this country.”

Also, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan described Governor Uzodimma as reliable and trustworthy as he noted that the governor has the capacity to develop the state.

“I served with Uzodimma, at the Senate and his very reliable and someone you can trust. He is one you can’t found wanting in any given assignment. When Uzodimma, became governor I knew Imo will be taken to the next level because of his capacity to deliver. 

“Uzodimma plays center politics and we want others to learn from him. We are expecting Abia and Enugu to be onboard.

Buhari does not discriminate he works with everybody. The Senate and the national Assembly will always be on your side to support the development of the State. 

in his address, Governor Uzodimma recalled the events that led to the recovery of mandate which he perceived was stolen from him.

“The days of lawlessness are over. We have restored democracy and we are able to clean up the frauds in the civil service, we reset the system and more things positively will be done.” 

Present at the church service marking the one year anniversary, were the Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege, Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris, governors of Lagos, Babatunde SanwoluKogi, Yaya Bello, Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, Eboyi, Dave Umahi and Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.
Others were former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Abia, Senator Theodore Orji, Former governor of Borno, Ali Modu Sheriff, serving and former Senators, House of Representatives members as well as the wife of the former President of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan.