Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as an epitome of good governance with the courage of making decisions that are in sync with that which Nigeria's current President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, can make.

Uzodimma also described Anyaoku as “a living monument to integrity, service and visionary leadership.”

The Governor spoke Thursday during the 15th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Distinguished Lecture Series which held at Rockview Hotel Owerri.

Uzodimma in his remarks where he eulogised Anyaoku described the current reforms initiated by the President Tinubu- led federal government as a pivotal moment for Nigeria, noting that the decisions will shape the future of the country.

His words: "The decision we make now will determine what kind of country we leave to the next generation. Fortunately, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown the courage to make those hard decisions now to secure the future of Nigeria."

Uzodimma was unequivocal in his remarks that spoke that the former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Anyaoku epitomes good governance whose courage in making decisions is akin to what Tinubu was capable of doing.

The Imo State Governor who is also the Chairman of Progressives Governors' Forum said apart from transparency and accountability, "good governance involves being courageous in taking decisions that would affect the future of the society."

He said Chief Anyaoku at 93 embodied that good governance all through his career, a trait he insisted Tinubu has embraced, especially in his economic reforms.

Uzodimma said: "Under the watch of Chief Emeka Anyaoku as the Commonwealth Secretary General, the body in 1995 suspended Nigeria following the annulment of 1993 elections and the execution of the Ogoni activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and his comrades.

"This decision underscored your unwavering commitment to democratic values even when it meant confronting your own country."

Turning to Tinubu, Uzodimma said the President also confronted similar challenges when he "inherited an economy in distress, depleted foreign reserves, runaway inflation, a subsidy regime bleeding the economy dry and other challenges."

"Tinubu chose to confront these challenges head on. He chose structural reforms over cosmetic patches. He chose to rebuild Nigeria's foundations rather than postpone the day of reckoning. That is good governance. That is the courage Chief Anyaoku himself demonstrated throughout his diplomatic career, doing what is right even when it is unpopular," he added.

Uzodimma noted that the seemingly unpopular decision taken by Tinubu in 2023 is now yielding fruits to the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

According to him, the "economy has not only stabilised but crude oil production has risen, FAAC allocations tripled while GDP is now at 4.1 percent with inflation trending downwards."

Uzodimma said the simple definition of good governance was a leadership that prioritises the common good over personal ambition, noting that Tinubu has shown that leadership is about long-term interest rather than temporary popularity.

He lauded the Chief Anyaoku Distinguished Lecture Series for sustaining the project for the last 15 years, and announced that Imo was happy to host it for the second time.

He said it is a thing of joy that at 93 Chief Anyaoku has continued to be useful to Nigeria in particular and humanity at large.

Speaking on the progress recorded by his administration in the last six years, Uzodimma said it would be immodest of him, but noted that Chief Anyaoku and the organisers of the Lecture Series were in a better position to testify if the Imo they have met today is the same Imo they met during the 9th edition, about seven years ago.

Hear Uzodimma: "Around 2019, Imo was in turmoil. Insecurity was rife. Infrastructure had collapsed. Investors had fled. Civil servants were owed salaries. Pensioners were dying without receiving their entitlements. The State was in crisis.

"Today, the story has changed. We have constructed over 130 roads across the state, opening up communities that had been cut off for decades. We have commissioned the Orashi Power Project, delivering round-the-clock electricity beginning with public buildings in our capital city. We have trained and empowered 60,000 youths in digital skills through the Skill-Up Imo programme. We pay the highest minimum wage in Nigeria, N104,000, because every worker deserves a living wage.

"We have equipped hospitals. Our people enjoy one of the best health insurance schemes in the country. We have built and renovated schools, and created an enabling environment for businesses to flourish. Just last week, StatiSense ranked Imo as having the country’s second-lowest poverty rate, behind Lagos.

"Most importantly, we have restored peace. And peace has brought development. Investors are returning. Businesses are opening. Jobs are being created. Imo is no longer a state people flee from. Imo has become a state people are coming to.

"Imo has hosted high-profile events that validate this transformation. The first-ever Imo Economic and Investment Summit attracted domestic and international investors, including presidents, prime ministers, and industry tycoons. We have hosted national political summits, cultural festivals, and sporting events. Imo is now recognised as a destination for investment and hospitality. Imo is truly a state where investment meets opportunity.

"So, when Chief Anyaoku and the organisers of this lecture series chose to return to Imo for the 15th edition, they were affirming the progress we have made. And we are grateful."

In his opening speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Jim Nwobodo, a former Governor of old Anambra State, described the forum as “a mirror held up to the nation” and a call to reflection, renewal and action.

He noted that despite Nigeria’s vast potential since independence in 1960, governance challenges persist due largely to leadership choices.

He stressed that leadership must embody sacrifice, courage and integrity, urging public officials to prioritise national interest above personal gain. “Good governance is not a slogan but the architecture of national progress,” he said.

Nwobodo also urged citizens, the private sector, media and youths to play active roles in nation-building, insisting that Nigeria’s future depends on collective responsibility and decisive action.

The honouree, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, recalled that the initiative, established 16 years ago by Youth Affairs International, was aimed at shaping young people and fostering national development.

He noted that the series has rotated across States, beginning with former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi.

He commended Governor Uzodimma for hosting the event, praising ongoing infrastructure and sectoral developments under his administration. “Long may you continue to serve for the benefit of your people,” Anyaoku told Uzodimma.

He also lauded the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha for her insightful discourse on citizens’ responsibilities in achieving good governance, and thanked Youth Affairs International and its leader, Johnson Owuna, for sustaining the Lecture Series.

Earlier in her address, the Deputy Speaker of the Imo State University Students Union Government, Miss Pamela Okoroafor, welcomed participants to the Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series, praising Chief Anyaoku for being the first African Commonwealth Secretary-General and advancing global peace through steadfast diplomacy.

Miss Okoroafor highlighted the importance of the Lecture in inspiring young Nigerians on leadership and good governance.

She also commended Governor Uzodimma for his visionary leadership and developmental achievements, saying the State’s youths are proud of his efforts to drive progress and opportunity.

She expressed confidence that the keynote lecture would enlighten attendees on the imperative of good governance and civic responsibility.

In a thought-provoking lecture at the event, the keynote speaker, Prof. Omenugha, who is the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, argued that family is the foundation for good governance.

She maintained that if we get the family right, there is more likelihood that Nigeria will be on the right path, as governance starts with the family.

"If we are raised with the right values, we are likely to carry it into a larger society," she said, adding that "nations do not rise merely because of responsible leaders; they rise because of responsible citizens who model all they demand for."

She enjoined every Nigerian to reflect on our behaviour no matter where we find ourselves, pointing out that our actions or in actions contribute to good or bad governance.

The event was attended by students in the tertiary institutions and representatives from secondary schools.

Others who graced the event include, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, Senator Osita Izunaso; former Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso, some members of the State House of Assembly; the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council, Local Government Council Chairmen, leaders and stakeholders of the state.

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