Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the City Boy Movement led by Barr. Seyi Tinubu as a near-national consensus for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the movement is not a single political party affair.
Speaking at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber, when the leadership of the group paid him a courtesy call, Uzodimma further described the City Boy Movement as a youth revolution in Nigeria.
The visit, which is a prelude to the Renewed Hope National Youth Tour by the City Boy Movement scheduled to be held in Owerri, gave the leadership an opportunity to hear from the governor of Imo State.
Uzodimma encouraged them to remain united and to harness their collective strength in promoting the message that a new Nigeria has indeed emerged under the Renewed Hope agenda.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to building a more prosperous nation through transformative policies across several sectors.
He said that these include key programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering the youth and revitalising our economy.
He said that it is, therefore, imperative for people to continue garnering support for Mr President as he steadily delivers on his progressive mandate for the growth, stability, and development of our nation.
He thanked the leadership of the city boy movement for the wonderful charity work you’ve been doing in Imo State, especially for supporting Imo hospitals, the sick, the vulnerable and all the challenged people.
Uzodimma said that in this new arrangement where Nigeria is rising again, youths like the City Boys must take their destiny in their hands.
“So, I’m here to encourage and support you and to charge you as a united front, men who are very strong and committed, with a lot of energy.”
He revealed that on Thursday night in their private tech committee, they agreed that despite the speculative tension in the Middle East occasioned by the war incident in Iran, in Nigeria our exchange rate remains stable.
The reason is we’re no longer funding subsidies, and the Dangote refinery buys crude oil in Naira. So, there’s no foreign exchange pressure for now.
“All I think I’ll do here is join you and make your work easier by letting you know the achievements of the government of Renewed Hope led by President Bola Tinubu and charge you to be agents of the dissemination of this message to the grassroots.
“At the level of the elites, they know our economy has been recovered; they know there’s a new trajectory for the development of the country that the whole world is applauding. The city boys are aware of this, but the only thing remaining is for the people in rural areas to know.
“That’s where you come in as ambassadors of renewed hope. Tell them about the man who brought the new Nigeria. Define your tomorrow by riding on this vehicle that’s willing and able to make your tomorrow better.
Power is not given; it’s taken, and it must be merited. As youths, organise yourselves and use your power for social media in the right direction; you would do a great deal for this country.
“You must realise that no country in Africa has 65% of its population below 35 years except Nigeria. The 65% are you city boys. We at the Progressive Governors Forum are happy that you’ve taken the bull by the horns. We’ll stand as amplifiers. For us to amplify, the message must be right.”
He urged them to go, organise themselves and get the message that will show everyone in Nigeria that there’s a new direction, stressing that the new direction is what Nigerians have been looking for all this while.
“If you do that, don’t be afraid; we’ll give you all the support you need. I must single you out, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, for conceiving this idea. What I see here is a youth revolution. So, to me, the people and government of Imo State will be with you because what I’ve seen here shows that it’s no longer about one political party.
“There’s a near-national consensus in this hall, as I’ve seen people from different political parties here. The president has been so divergent and running an inclusive leadership that doesn’t even recognise political party when issues of national interest are being discussed.”
Earlier, the leader of the movement, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, had stated their mission and solicited Uzodimma’s support for the success of the City Boy Movement.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, who was present at the unveiling of a drug bank for indigent patients at the Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, by Seyi Tinubu on behalf of the City Boy Movement, thanked him.
Dr Egu commended the generous donation, noting that it will strengthen healthcare delivery, especially for pregnant women and children.
She added that the initiative aligns with the healthcare vision of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration and assured that the drugs will be used judiciously to support those who need them most.
Meanwhile, the City Boy movement also paid for the enrolment of 500 pregnant women into the Imo State health insurance programme, controlled by the Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA) under the leadership of Dr Uche Ewelike.
