Anglican Bishops of the South East and South South Province on Thursday said they are solidly behind Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State whose governance style has shown that integrity can be brought into service.
The Bishops made the declaration during a courtesy call on Governor Uzodimma ahead of the meeting of South East and South South bishops taking place in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
Those who visited the Governor are: The Supervisor, Niger Delta Province, Rt. Rev. Blessing Eyinda; Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chukwuma Opara; Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. David Onuoha; Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma; Archbishop of the Niger, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim and Archbishop of Aba Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Isaac Nwaobia .
Speaking the minds of his brother bishops in an interaction with newsmen, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Chairman, Joint Council of Bishops of the two zones, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, said they came to express their support to Governor Uzodimma on what he is doing to make Imo State better and to request the Governor to mobilize his colleague Governors of the South East towards the immediate establishment of South East security outfit for the protection of her citizens.
The Bishops also requested the Governor to encourage his sister State Governors to embark on massive agricultural and animal husbandry so that the South East and South South will have enough food and nutrient in terms of meat that will feed her citizens and even for export.
The Bishops drew the attention of the Governor of Imo State and other Governors of the East and South South to the teething problems of youth unemployment and requested them to do something fast to tackle the hydra-headed monster.
They also asked for unity of the Ohanaeze as a socio-cultural body of Ndigbo world-wide, noting that “once Ohanaeze is united, the Igbos are bound to speak with one voice.”
They commended Governor Uzodimma for what he is doing to ensure that Igbos are united and urged the people to eschew negative perception of the Governor’s approach to governance, noting that, “Governor Uzodimma wants something good for the Igbos.”
They encouraged Governor Uzodimma to continue in his recovery efforts of what belongs to Imo people from any person no matter whose ox is gored.
“We thank him and thank all those of Imo State who are giving him support, and all that he is doing to recover what Imo lost. We are also behind him. Government is a service. Politics is not a matter of coming to sap, but to serve and serve the people well,” Bishop Chukwuma said.
The Bishops said they aligned themselves completely with the Governor on his speech on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at the one Year Anniversary thanksgiving ceremony and prayed God to help the Governor give his best to the people of Imo State.
Responding, Governor Uzodimma promised to do his best to serve Imo people well and follow the dictates of God in all his dealings.
The Governor however reiterated that security is everybody’s business and that Government cannot do it alone, urging the clergy to join hands with government to secure the people and their environment.
Governor Uzodimma said: “I am a servant, I have taken all the advice given to me, and I will try my best to keep to them religiously. I wish our people and country well. I wish South East well. All over the world government alone cannot handle security. So when he is calling for the complementary role of the citizens, it is consistent with global best practices.”
He wished the Bishops a fruitful deliberation and stay in Owerri as well as safe journey home.