Imo Governor Appointed Coordinator by Southern Traditional Rulers

Traditional leaders from southern Nigeria, meeting under the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, have chosen Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to serve as their Coordinator. They said the governor has worked to support community leaders and to bring them together.

The letter of appointment was handed to Governor Uzodimma at his Owerri office by the council’s Chairman, the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Co‑Chair, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, and the Secretary, the Dein of Agbor, HRM Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagboruzi I. Other southern monarchs who sit on the council’s Technical Committee accompanied them.

The Ooni said the Technical Committee came to Owerri to discuss matters ahead of the council’s next general meeting. He praised Governor Uzodimma for helping traditional rulers keep a visible role in public life—politically, culturally, and in custom. After reviewing his work, the monarchs agreed he is the right person to coordinate their affairs for the South and for the nation.

They also told the governor that the next general meeting will be held in Ogun State, with Governor Dapo Abiodun, Chair of the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum, serving as host. Governor Uzodimma had hosted the first meeting of the gathering in Owerri.

Recognising Governor Uzodimma’s standing and his access to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the monarchs gave him a letter asking that he arrange a meeting with the President on their behalf.

Governor Uzodimma said he was honoured by the appointment and vowed to meet the rulers’ expectations. He spoke about the value of the traditional institution and urged monarchs to keep playing their role in society. He added that he would contact Governor Abiodun about the Ogun meeting and would deliver the monarchs’ message to the President.