Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has been honoured with the prestigious African Inspirational Leadership and Good Governance Award for his visionary public service and transformational leadership.
A statement by Mr Tosin Olayinka, Programme Director, Renewed Hope Global, on Saturday in Abuja, said Uzodimma was honoured on Friday at an event in the House of Lords in London.
Olayinka said the event, which was put together by the African Leadership Organisation (ALO), was chaired by former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete.
He added that Uzodimma, who is the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), was represented at the event by Mr Declan Emelumba, Imo Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy.
Olayinka said the international recognition was to celebrate the governor’s visionary public service, transformational leadership and commitment to good governance.
He explained that the award recognises leaders whose policies had delivered measurable progress while strengthening democratic governance and public institutions.
He said the selection of Uzodimma, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), reflected the impact of his shared prosperity agenda anchored on reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery.
“The organisation said his administration has reshaped Imo through sustained investment in critical infrastructure, stronger public institutions and reforms that have expanded opportunities for businesses, young people and women.
“It described Uzodimma as one of Africa’s most forward-looking sub-national leaders whose governance model continues to attract international attention, noting his wider national influence beyond Imo,” Olayinka said.
He added that as PGF chairman, Uzodimma had provided steady leadership in ensuring collaboration among APC governors while promoting policies aimed at strengthening democratic governance, economic development, and institutional reforms across Nigeria.
He noted that as Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, he had also provided strategic leadership to one of the administration’s largest grassroots advocacy movements, expanding its reach across Nigeria and the Diaspora.
Olayinka said the Imo governor had also been mobilising sustained public engagement around the President Bola Tinubu’s vision for economic renewal, institutional reform and national development.
He said that Mr Joseph Adebola, Chairman, Renewed Hope Global, disclosed that Uzodimma’s recognition reflected years of purposeful leadership rather than a single achievement.
“Governor Uzodimma has demonstrated that visionary leadership is measured not by promises, but by lasting results. Under his stewardship, Imo has become a secure destination where investment meets opportunity.
“The transformation of critical road infrastructure, security, improvements in governance and the creation of an enabling environment for enterprise have positioned the state as one of Nigeria’s most attractive investment frontiers,” he said.
Adebola noted that more than 130 strategic roads, including the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe corridors in Imo, had either been constructed or rehabilitated.
He described the projects as evidence of an administration focused on long-term economic growth rather than short-term political gains.
He added that the event was attended by British Lords, Members of Parliament, international political leaders, diplomats, Heads of Government agencies, business executives and Renewed Hope UK executives.
Olayinka said that also in attendance were Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Political Affairs and Prince Ade Omole, Renewed Hope Global advocate among others.
He said Omole, who was the Director 2023 APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Diaspora Directorate, said that Uzodimma’s recognition reinforced his growing standing as one of Africa’s leading figures in purposeful and progressive leadership.
“The recognition places Uzodimma among a distinguished group of Presidents, Heads of Government and other global leaders who have received the same honour in recognition of their contributions to governance, development and public service,” Omole was quoted as saying.
