Uzodimma pledges 92,500 jobs for Imo youths, gives 2,700 phones, free data

Threatens to restrict unvaccinated residents
Appoints Okeke new IIRS chairman

In his determination to develop the youths of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma, yesterday, promised to provide 92,500 jobs to Imo youths from the 27 councils of the state, before the end of the year.

Uzodimma, who was accompanied by a former governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim and members of the state House of Assembly, among others, gave the pledge during the weekend at an empowerment programme and the distributed MTN and Infinix smart phones to 2700 and free data to the youths.

He also unveiled a raffle draw car prizes in the Hope Rising Valentine Concert at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri where 100 youths were selected from each of the 27 councils of the state.

He said: “I have come to give the youths the opportunity to be part of government and governance and end unemployment by empowering the youths, because my is your government.

“The rejuvenated and rehabilitated Adapalm will provide 35,000 jobs, the recovered Standard Shoe Industry will provide 7,500 jobs, while the Export Processing Zone Project which took me to Cote d’Ivoire with other governors of the country will employ over 50,000 youths when fully activated.”

Also at the event, Uzodimma threatened to initiate a policy that will restrict unvaccinated workers, visitors, contractors and other indigenes of the state from having access to government facilities.

Uzodimma, who made the threat at the commencement of the mass vaccination in Owerri, appealed to the people to ignore all the conspiracy theories against the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccination exercise and take the vaccine.

He explained that the measure was to achieve zero spread of coronavirus disease in the state, adding that government workers would also be required to show their vaccination cards to retain their jobs or to have access to their offices.

He restated that the state currently has enough stock of the of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines available and that Imo people could be vaccinated in all the health centres in the headquarters of the 27 councils of the state.

MEANWHILE, the governor approved the appointment of Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, as the interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS).

He replaced Emeka Udegbulem, who had been on the saddle in the last eight months.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Cosmas Iwu and dated February 18, 2022, affirmed the appointment takes immediate effect.

The statement disclosed that Okeke, who hold a Doctorate degree in Accountancy, is an experienced banker and tax consultant, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).