By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
Governor of Imo State and Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Hope Uzodimma, has charged coordinators across the South-South zone to adopt a unified communication strategy in promoting the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that “alignment is not optional, but a requirement.”
Uzodimma gave the directive on Monday at the South-South Zonal Workshop for State and Local Government Area Coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, held in Asaba, where he emphasized the need for a coordinated national messaging framework under the theme “One Party, One Message, One Mobilisation.”
The Imo governor, who also chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, said the workshop marked a critical step in translating federal reforms into grassroots engagement, noting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must speak with one voice across all regions.
“The South-South cannot be doing one thing while another zone pursues a different strategy. We are one party with one message and one mobilisation force,” he said.
Uzodimma explained that while Nigeria is witnessing macroeconomic stabilization under Tinubu’s leadership, many citizens are still grappling with the immediate effects of reforms, creating a communication gap that must be urgently addressed.
“At the macro level, the economy is stabilising, but at the micro level, Nigerians are still feeling the pain. Our duty is to bridge that gap by translating policy into everyday language,” he stated.
He pointed to key economic indicators—including foreign reserves of $50.65 billion, GDP growth of 4.1 percent, and increased FAAC allocations—as evidence that the administration’s reforms are yielding results, even as he acknowledged the temporary hardship associated with such measures.
“Reforms take time. The pain is temporary, but the gains are permanent,” Uzodimma added, urging coordinators to engage citizens directly in markets, motor parks, and communities to explain government policies and counter misinformation.
The DG outlined a structured national work plan developed after the APC Renewed Hope Strategic Summit in Abuja, describing it as a “binding framework” for all coordinators across the country.
He mandated state coordinators to hold alignment meetings within 30 days, local government coordinators to roll out ward-level engagements within 60 days, and comprehensive reporting within 90 days.
According to him, effective mobilisation would require consistent engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and market associations, alongside strategic use of digital platforms.
“The President cannot be everywhere, but you can. You are the bridge between government performance and citizen awareness,” he said.
In his welcome address, immediate Past Governor of Delta State, and South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ifeanyi Okowa, described Nigeria as being at a “defining moment” in its history.
Okowa noted that when President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, the nation faced deep economic distortions, high inflation, and weak public finances, requiring bold corrective measures.
“Renewed Hope Agenda is about fixing Nigeria’s broken foundation and securing long-term prosperity, rather than chasing short-term political gains,” he said.
He highlighted major reforms such as subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, increased foreign reserves, improved oil production, and expansion in healthcare and education access, including support for about one million students under the NELFUND scheme.
Despite these achievements, Okowa acknowledged a major challenge in public perception, stressing that reforms are often misunderstood due to inadequate communication.
“The problem is not policy failure, but communication failure. Reform is not appreciated until it is understood,” he said.
He urged ambassadors to actively engage citizens across communities, workplaces, and social spaces, armed with accurate data and clear messaging.
“Misinformation travels faster than facts. We must counter it with truth, engagement, and evidence,” Okowa added.
Both leaders emphasized that the role of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors extends beyond electoral mobilisation to fostering national understanding and participation in governance.
They encouraged participants to leverage town hall meetings, community dialogues, and digital platforms to deepen awareness of government policies and build public trust.
Uzodimma concluded by reaffirming confidence in the success of Tinubu’s reforms and the capacity of the ambassadors to drive national transformation.
“President Tinubu has chosen to fix the foundation of Nigeria’s future. History will vindicate him, but we must act now to ensure Nigerians understand and key into that vision,” he said.
The two-day South-South Strategic Communications and Mobilization Workshop, themed “Our Party, One Message, One Mobilization,” features sessions on grassroots mobilisation, policy communication, strategic planning, and intelligence gathering, with participation from key APC leaders and policymakers.
The summit is designed to enlighten all the Renewed Hope Ambassadors on the proper way to communicate the policies and ideas of the federal government to Nigerians. it further enhance unity, strengthens communication, and drives grassroots mobilization as the party continues to consolidate its presence in the South-South.