Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has advocated for a collaborative approach among journalists in the old Eastern region to accelerate development across the states.
He urged journalists to focus on governance and development areas that could unify the people to enhance progress.
Speaking in Owerri during the opening of a two-day capacity workshop for editors from the zone, the governor emphasized what he termed developmental journalism as a catalyst for promoting issues of mutual interest among the populace.
Uzodimma stated, “It is common knowledge that our eastern region, rich in history and economic potentials, faces numerous developmental challenges. From infrastructure deficits to economic disparities, the road ahead is long. As media professionals, you have the unique ability to highlight these issues, provoke public discourse, and trigger action.”
He noted that the theme of the conference, “The Media as Partners in Regional Development,” aligns with his administration’s efforts toward the economic renaissance of the former eastern region.
“We aim to revitalize the economy of the old eastern region, in line with the vision and mission of the late premier, Dr. Michael Okpara, because economic reintegration will be crucial to the survival of our region in a post-oil era in Nigeria,” he added.
The governor disclosed that his administration has already initiated this reintegration by commencing the dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean, reopening coastal trade routes among Imo, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
Uzodimma encouraged journalists to foster a strong relationship within the old eastern region to rebuild the political and economic alliances of the past, as is being done in other geopolitical zones across Nigeria.