3rd January, 2024
By Peter Okolie
Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo flagged off the distribution of truckloads of rice donated by President Bola Tinubu a Christmas gift and further palliative measures to alleviate the suffering of the people to the five South East States at the Secretariat of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Owerri, the state capital.
Speaking during the event, Uzodimma explained that of the truckloads of rice neither came from the State nor Federal Government. Rather, but are personal donations from President Tinubu to Christians as gifts to the South East.
He therefore called on members of CAN to commit President Bola Tinubu’s administration in prayers.
Uzodimma thanked God for his mercies that made it possible for the people to overcome the challenges of 2023, noting that 2024 will be a lot better for all.
He recalled that on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu introduced some reforms meant to recover the economy and reduce hardship in the country, strengthen the Naira, grow the economy, create jobs for the unemployed and generally make Nigeria great again.
“Though some of those policies came with initial pains, like the high cost of items in the market, the policies are meant to address these pains.
“Towards the end of last year, the Federal and state governments distributed palliative materials in Imo state, doing their best to send the materials to the nooks and crannies of the state.
“80 per cent of people living in the South East are Christians, and so Christmas celebration is taken as a very serious festival,” he said.
The governor, who expressed the President’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the people, emphasised the significance of providing relief and other support to citizens, particularly during the festive season.
The governor said that he decided to involve Imo State CAN to ensure seamless distribution since all Christians in the zone are under the umbrella of CAN.
However, he said that the Imo State Government will support CAN with the logistics to convey the truckloads of rice to all the Southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo.
In his welcome address, the CAN Chairman in Imo, Rev. Eches Eches, commended President Tinubu’s efforts in providing for the welfare of the people.
He also described Uzodimma as “a caring lover of God and mankind, who promotes the interests of Igbo people on the national stage.”
Eches further commended Uzodimma’s commitment to uplifting the Christian community within Imo State.
Five CAN Chairmen of the Southeast states presented him with a gift of African Study Bible in appreciation of what the Governor had been doing for the people and the Church.