Uzodimma, Ugorji seek unity, national renewal in Thanksgiving of Independence

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji, called on Nigerians to embrace unity, integrity and individual responsibility if they truly love the country.

The duo spoke on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during a special Eucharistic and thanksgiving service held at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, to commemorate the 66th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since independence in 1960, Uzodimma said the country has survived civil war, military rule, economic hardship and political crises, stressing that the sacrifices of millions of ordinary Nigerians have helped keep the nation together.

“Nigeria, which is 66 years old, is our country. It belongs to all of us,” the Governor said, urging citizens to look beyond government and contribute to nation-building through responsible conduct.

He acknowledged the economic hardships facing families and businesses, saying the government has a responsibility to ensure citizens’ sacrifices translate into meaningful improvements in their lives.

The Governor, who stressed that “leadership begins at home”, urged Nigerians to obey the laws, shun dishonesty and manage entrusted resources with integrity wherever they are in positions of service.

According to him, it makes no sense that most of the things citizens complain about have been done wrongly by those in positions of authority; they have often been done in worse ways by the same citizens who occupy positions of responsibility at family, community and even ecclesial levels.

In his homily, Msgr. Ugorji identified corruption, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, inadequate electricity supply and weak institutions as the main challenges to national development.

He, however, commended Governor Uzodimma for the giant stride his administration has made in infrastructural development and particularly with Orashi electricity supply in the state.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,” Ugorji quoted Proverbs 14:34 and urged Nigerians to embrace honesty, responsibility, fairness and merit.

“If we want a new Nigeria, we must become new Nigerians,” Ugorji declared, calling for national unity, credible elections and an end to ethnic and religious divisions.

Among those present were the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Orlu, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma; Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Okigwe, Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Amatu; Auxiliary Bishop of Orlu, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Obiatuegwu; representative of the Bishop of the Diocese of Ahiara; and many other priests of Catholic extraction and other denominations.

Also present were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, and her husband, Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN); Acting Chief Justice, Justice Ijeoma Aguguo; Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, his deputy, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu and other members of the State Assembly; President of the Court of Customary Appeal, Mr. Victor Okorie.

Others include the state chairman of APC, Austin Onyedebelu and other members of the state working committee; former Deputy Governors of Imo State – Prof Placid Njoku and Chief Justice Agbaso, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, members of the Expanded Executive Council of Imo State, Service Commanders and Heads of Security Agencies; the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers / Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Dr. Emmanuel Okeke, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, HRM Benjamin Ikenchukwu (Keagborekuzi 1), the Chairman of the Imo Council of Elders and Co-Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and other traditional rulers, local government council chairmen, stakeholders, captains of industry led by Chief Tony Chukwu, MDA bosses, Imo leaders and Christian faithful.