Photo: The celebrant, Chief Ephraim Okoro (left) with Governor Hope Uzodimma when the Governor hosted Chief Okoro to a dinner to mark his 80th birthday at Banquet Hall Government House, Owerri… Friday.
The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has maintained that his administration will continue to create platform for investors in different fields of endeavour for constructive partnership with government to grow the economy and create prosperity for all in the State.
Senator Uzodimma brought this to bear on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Banquet Hall of Government House Owerri, when he played host to the 80th birthday party of Chief Ephraim Okoro, a man he said provided succour to him and others in the course of their growing up as young men.
The Governor explained that his decision to host the dinner party was to appreciate Chief Okoro for “his robust goodwill and to get him fully integrated to Imo State after his many years of sojourn in the United States of America.”
He described the octogenarian as “an amiable fellow, a mentor and a compassionate person whose robust goodwill attracted over seventy of his associates and relations from the United States of America to join him in the celebration.”
Senator Uzodimma recognised the presence of some international players of government from Silicon Valley, California, who are in Imo State to partner on the Imo Digital City Project.
He pointed out that the project when realised will create start-ups and stimulate the economy of the State.
He further noted that sustainable economies world over are led and driven by the private sector, pointing out that his administration is desirous of bringing on board a productive economy, and assured that Imo is ready for business.
“What I have introduced into Imo State going forward is to explore Public Private Partnership (PPP); to bring innovations, to stimulate an economy that will lead to prosperity,” he noted.
The celebrant, Chief Ephraim Okoro expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for deeming it fit to host his 80th birthday dinner party and for encouraging him to finally return home after about 58 years of sojourn in the United States of America.
He thanked his friends and relatives for joining the Governor to honour him, and to God, for the grace of long life and good health.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the cutting of the 80th birthday cake by the celebrant, supported by the wife and the Governor.
Apart from Chief Okoro’s family members, the dinner attracted so many important personalities from and outside government circle.
They include, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru SAN, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu, Senators Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Owerri Zone) and Patrick Ndubueze (Okigwe Zone), Majority leader of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi and many of his colleagues, Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu and former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.
Also in attendance were members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the National Vice Chairman of the APC (South East), Dr. Ijomah Arodiogbu, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders/Co- Chairman of Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, business mogul, Chief Tony Chukwu, and others too numerous to mention.
