Uzodimma: Human capital development specialist – Lady Ekomaru

By Jude Onyenedogha

The Deputy Governor of Imo state, Lady Chinyere  Ekomaru has described Governor Hope Uzodimma as a human capital development specialist.

The deputy governor made this assertion on Tuesday, at the Government House, Owerri, when welcoming, on behalf of the governor, members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria to her office.

She noted that developing people with skills makes them self reliant, hence the Governor has made it one of his priorities.

The deputy governor who was delighted to receive the group, assured them of Imo State Government’s commitment to workers development and wellbeing.

“Governor Hope Uzodimma understands the needs of the people at all times. He knows that workers welfare brings out workers’ commitment and increased output.

“This informs why he renovated the Imo State Secretariate, making comfortable, the working conditions of Imo civil servants.

“Workers in Imo civil service are paid promptly, have access to free healthcare insurance, free transport to and from work and receive the highest salary in the country and are regularly sponsored on refresher courses and digital trainings.

“They formed part of the recent SkillUp Imo cohort 3 graduands on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

“The recent increase of Imo state civil servants minimum wage from 70,000 to 104,000 is unprecedented and was only possible because Governor Hope Uzodimma is an agent of workers’ welfare and motivation.

“Apart from the civil servants, Imo youths are not left out, the SkillUp Imo programme has equipped and empowered more than 40,000 Imo youths on Digital Skills, according them numerous employment opportunities in the digital world.

“Many Imo indigenes and residents are appointees of the Governor who mentors them on transparent and honest leadership through total commitment to assigned responsibilities.

“Presently, the Governor is constructing a Digital Village in Imo state, which will make Imo the digital hub of Nigeria”, the Deputy Governor stated.

She noted however, that human resource management is a herculean task, while urging the group to intensify effort in their operations, creating awareness and building capacity.

She regretted the decay in ethics and standards among Nigerian workers in several sectors and advised that efforts should be made to avoid a total collapse, remarking that seasoned personnel are retiring from the system without efficient replacements.

“Many do not believe in hardwork again, rather, seek for avenues to cut corners that will make them overnight millionaires”, the Deputy Governor said.

While commending the Personnel managers for their efforts and commitment, she also advised they help design a sustainable programme for workers’ training and discipline.

The Deputy Governor assured the group of the readiness of Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Government of Imo state to partner with them in working out  possible template to reinvigorate commitment among personnel across board.

She promised to convey some of the group’s request to the Governor for necessary action and also expressed her willingness to joining their reputable group as requested.

The leader of the group, Dr (Mrs) Ogochukwu Egbuonu,  the National Treasurer, who represented the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan, in her address earlier, thanked the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for the great work he is doing in the state, especially on the SkillUp Imo programme. She also expressed her gratitude to the Deputy Governor for not only assisting the Governor but for granting them a warm reception.

Dr. Egbuonu said their visit is a reaffirmation of partnership, progress and purpose, saying that the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) is the only regulatory body chartered by law to regulate and develop the practice of human resource management in Nigeria, boasting of about 20,0000 members spread across public and private sector in Nigeria, as well as United Kingdom (UK), Canada and United States of America.

She beckoned on Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Deputy Governor Chinyere Ekomaru to join the group, opining that ” Governor Hope Uzodimma is a leader of leaders”.

She further said, “as the drivers of governance and human capital in Imo State, Your Excellencies embody the very essence of what CIPM stands for: leadership, innovation and impact through people.

“Your recent initiative, where Imo state boosted entrepreneurship by graduating 10,000 youths through Digital SkillUp Programme, is a powerful testament to your visionary leadership and your unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation”.