In a recent campaign event ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma pledged to facilitate the relocation of 4,000 interested indigenes of Imo State to Europe and Canada by the end of December this year.
Speaking to a jubilant crowd, Governor Uzodinma shared his plans to assist Imo indigenes seeking to relocate to Europe or Canada.
He said the assistance would come in the form of providing the relevant employable skill sets that would ease their entry and adaptation to life abroad.
“By December this year, 4,000 Imo youths will be employed in Europe,” Governor Uzodinma affirmed, triggering enthusiastic responses from the gathered youths. He further assuring that their air tickets would be catered for once the opportunity arises.
However, the promise made by the governor has been met with skepticism and scrutiny.
A former member of the House of Representatives and Labour Party’s (LP) Deputy Governorship Candidate for Imo State, Tony Chinedu Nwulu, claimed to have contacted the European Union (EU) ambassador, who allegedly debunked Governor Uzodinma’s claim.
“I just chatted with the EU ambassador, and she debunked Hope’s claim, stating that she’s not aware of any such deal,” Nwulu stated, sharing a screenshot of the conversation.
National Director of Media for the LP, Yunusa Tanko, criticised the pledge, labelling it as deceitful and an insult to the state.
Tanko also accused the governor of diverting attention from the vital issue of job creation within Imo State.
Similarly, popular Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, also known as Mr. P, questioned the governor’s focus on providing job opportunities abroad instead of addressing unemployment challenges within the state.