The Day Imo Athletes, Sports Lovers Embarked On One Million March For Governor Uzodinma’s Second Term Bid

While it has has been endorsement galore from various sections of the public in support of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s second term bid following his monumental achievements, Concerned Citizens, athletes, lovers of sports and fans ahead of the November 11th, 2023 Imo Governorship Election on Tuesday embarked in a one million to enlighten Imo people why Uzodimma must return to Government House.

The one million march, which shook the entire foundation of Imo State the Concerned Citizens and Imo Sportsmen and women ably supported by the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo in concert with the convener, Engineer Chibuike Onyejietu among other groups was unequivocally about the overall performance and assessment of the Governor Uzodinma in the sectoe.

The march, which saw a sea of other Imolites join in support beckoned on Imo people to re-elect Governor Hope Uzodimma in the next month Guber Election so as to sustain and expand his laudable and achievements coupled with the transformational programmes and activities, which has been engaging to our youths.

The one million campaign train marched from the Freedom Park, close to Warehouse, Owerri to the Government House, Owerri in carnival-like atmosphere with songs from popular Disc Jokey (DJ) accompanied by both traditional and conventional dancers in vehicles danced and walked through to the Imo State Seat of Power with various inscriptions such as “Hope The Best Man For the Job”, Uzodinma Our Man”, “The First Responsibility of a Leader is to Define Reality in True Leadership in Hope”, Opportunity Dances with Those on Dance Floor 4+4″ among others in solidarity with Governor Uzodinma’s second term ambition as the Executive Governor of the Imo State.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma assured Imo sportsmen and women that the Ministry of Sports will continue to enjoy his support and that funding with which to attend national and international competitions won’t be a problem as he has undoubtedly continued to do.

Governor Uzodinma who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Barrister Nnamdi Anyahie praised the gallantry and determination of Imo Sportsmen, women supported by fans and sports lovers, who have won several laurels for the state.  He reiterated Governor Uzodimma’s resolve to do whatever necessarry that will enable Imo athletes and the budding ones to continue to make great representation for the state, including adding to the subvention of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development.

The Governor who also doubles as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum thumbed up the one million march move of the Concerned Citizens and Imo Sportsmen and women to show solidarity to his second term bid and he added that he would step up on the life changing policies of his administration in the area of sports during his second tenure.

“I thank you for coming to show solidarity to our sports loving Governor for all he has done for sportsmen and women in Imo State and for uplifting the infrastructure of sports in the state. Today, Imo sportsmen and women attend competitions well equipped with resources. Today Imo Sportsmen and women succeed in their endeavours,” Governor Uzodinma, who was represented by the Chief of Staff Government House, Imo State Barrister Anyahie, stated.

“On behalf of His Excellency, I want to assure you that support for sports in Imo State will continue unhindered. Funds allocation to sports in Imo Youth, Sports and Social Development will double by the time he returns to office in November, 2023. 

“He has asked me to tell all of you that he loves, adores and appreciates you for all that you are doing for sports in Imo State, winning laurels and that he will continue to support you by making sure that funding won’t be an impediment.”

While addressing the mammoth crowd, the principal convener of the one million march, the Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo disclosed that Imo Sportsmen and women have come to show solidarity with Governor Uzodinma on his second term bid and to assure him that they are going to vote for him and also mobilize people to do so in the November 11th, 2023 Governorship Election.

Honourable Okoronkwo said the crowd which are mostly Imo youths , Sportsmen and women, fans and sports enthusiasts have come to appreciate him for all that he is doing and that they have resolved to show support and work assiduously for him to continue in office beyond the first term.

“We are here to thank you,” Honourable Okoronkwo began in a short but concise speech.

“We have come to appreciate our Governor. Your Excellency, ably represented by the Imo State Chief of Staff Barrister Nnamdi Anyahie. 

“This is a wonderful day for Imo people. It is a moment of interaction with His Excellency to express our gratitude for his love for sports in Imo State. He has shown his interest in sports and has developed all it’s aspects too. He has made youths major component of his administration. The sporting community, a non Governmental body has come to appreciate him.”

Also speaking at the important occasion the Special Adviser to the Imo Governor on Electoral Matters, Enyinnaya Onuegbu said what the Imo Sportsmen and women have done to identify themselves with the achieving Governor of the state is unprecedented and that what they have done will send strong message to the world that Governor Uzodinma has excelled in the area of sports development and that Imo people must canvass support for him to return for the second term to continue with his good works.

“To further demonstrate that unity of purpose in Governor Hope Uzodinma, (CON) who appointed the commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Emeka Okoronkwo, you have said that you are happy with the positive results you are getting from the Sports Ministry. You sportsmen and women are grateful to the Governor for being the sole person responsible for all the successes you are recording and we believe that your presence here today will send a signal to the sporting world across the universe that Governor Uzodinma has made his mark in helping to develop sports,” Honourable Onuegbu, who is also former Chairman, Ngor Okpala LGA stressed. 

“We are aware that for the first time in many years, Imo popular Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri is wearing a new look and that the Indoor Sports Halls are all working. And that for the first time the welfare of sportsmen and women is taking its pride of place in Imo State.”

While giving further explanation on the reason for the one million march solidarity rally for the Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma, the Event Coordinator,

Chibuike Onyejietu eulogised the Governor and thumbed up several competitions he has sponsored Imo athletes. He also acknowledged that the Governor has the wherewithal to translate vision into reality. 

He nonetheless tasked the Imo State Governor to increase the subvention to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development to enable the ministry to achieve most of its set targets. He also implored Governor Uzodinma to sponsor more sporting competitions in his name in his second term in office.

“We have seen that you have the capacity to translate vision into reality. We have seen your various inputs in sports which is our primary constituency such as sponsoring our athletes to various national and international competitions. You hosted the National Volleyball Championship for the first time in more than 10 years among others,” Onyejietu stated.

“Your giant strides in infrastructural development especially in major roads where you inherit big ecological problems due to the mistakes of the past are appreciated by all. We have come to show solidarity to your second term bid in office. Our people will say the reward for good work is more works. 

“In your second tenure in office we plead for more allocation of funds and more attention to sporting activities for sportsmen and women in Imo State. We want to see tournaments that are sponsored in your name especially among our teenagers in secondary schools so as to fully tap into the grassroots. 

“Our Association Concerned Citizens and Imo Sportsmen and women will not only vote for you and support you come election day alone we will also mobilize support for you and as well as protect your vote cast.”