Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo said on Tuesday that Nigeria has made significant progress despite numerous challenges.

In his message to mark the 64th Independence Day celebration in Owerri, Mr Uzodimma attributed Nigeria’s progress to the collective effort and innovative and resilient spirit of its citizens, policymakers and stakeholders.

He highlighted some of the key areas of progress, including economic growth, infrastructure development, technology advancement and innovation, healthcare, education, military advancement and sports.

Mr Uzodimma said: “While our journey has faced challenges, we owe immense gratitude to God for the progress we have made.

“The story of our nation, like many others who fought for independence, is one of unwavering determination as a country that endured the civil war for many years.

“The urgency of nation-building is even more pronounced.

“We are faced with obstacles, we have tested our unity, we have not built that perfect nation that we all hope for at independence, but we have made remarkable progress.”

The governor said Imo had recorded its own transformative progress not only in infrastructure, education, and economic development but also in technical institutions that train graduates to compete on the global stage.

He said the road infrastructure had been improved to stimulate commerce in and around the state.

In spite of the gains, Mr Uzodimma acknowledged that there were still some challenges.

He assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to work in harmony with the federal government to improve security, economic growth, infrastructure and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Mr Uzodimma renewed his commitment to a transparent and accountable government, promising to prioritise more infrastructure development and social welfare for the Imo people.

(NAN)