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The United States of America’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington has visited Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State at the state's Seat of Power - Douglas House - in Owerri on Tuesday, 17th October 2017.
Mr. Symington disclosed he was attracted to the Imo when some of his colleagues told him stories of the governor’s heavy investments in Education and Infrastructure, adding that he had been able to confirm that information with what he had seen himself.
He said “In leadership, I cannot understand anything more important than security, education, unity and political understanding. All these should be the focus of any leader who really wants to better the lives of his people”.
He added that “The problem faced by most nations including America and Nigeria is, how are we training the leaders of tomorrow to ensure that our nation is guaranteed. Focus should be redirected to the training of youths to become great leaders of the future”.
Governor Okorocha in his response said, “We do have special love for America and we believe that there are a lot we can do together. I have been having conversations and meetings with many diplomats and even heads of States on ways to better the fortunes of my State. My little discussion this morning shows me that there is a connection between us and you mean well”.
He Continued “I see sincerity of purpose in your heart concerning the way you spoke about things that concern my people and discussing with you on the need to see America’s presence in my State. You were quick to advise that Nigeria and America’s partnership will be a good thing to start from Imo State”.
“I beckon on you on our industrial park. Many States might propose industrial park but there is no state that is better located than Imo because we are the headquarter of gas in Nigeria and so I thank you for directing your commercial attaché to take note of that. This gives me a great sense of relief that this my dream of partnership with America might be coming to fruition soon.
“I thank you for consenting on our local Africa products like yam, potato, tomatoes etc to be transported from Imo State to America. We, as a government work for the future generation of Imo State. We met a state that had challenges and we decided that we must work together to help our people and that is exactly what drives us.
“You must know that we have a program for the youths of our dear State. We have come to the realization that the youths of Nigeria and Africa are frustrated and it is incumbent on us to give them a sense of belonging economically and otherwise.
“We have even went as far as making one youth a millionaire in each of the 305 wards of the State, by giving them one million naira each and tutoring them with the aim of breaking the jinx of poverty and giving them hope of being better in future. That is the idea of how the youths are dear to our hearts.
"We need to give our youths exposure, in enlightenment and not necessarily money. We will like to create a program where youths of Imo State will travel to America and interact with your youths and discuss issues on how they can develop themselves” he stressed.
This is coming barely a few days after the 'controversial' governor hosted the South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma in the state's capital, Owerri.
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