Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state. The announcement was made on Tuesday night during a meeting with various labour union leaders at the Government House in Owerri.

The governor said the decision was taken in response to the prevailing economic realities in Nigeria and to strengthen the relationship between the government and organised labour.

The new wage package increases the minimum wage from N76,000 to N104,000. In addition, the minimum wage of doctors has been raised from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of teachers in tertiary institutions was increased from N119,000 to N222,000, among others.

Uzodimma stressed the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship with workers in order to achieve sustainable development. “We tried as a government to always keep in mind that there is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organized labor,” he said.

He added that good welfare packages for workers boost productivity, improve family well-being, and contribute to economic growth. “When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people. The government believes in stimulating political and economic activities, carrying bureaucrats along, and making sure that workers’ welfare is highly respected,” the governor stated.

Speaking on the state’s finances, Uzodimma revealed that Imo’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown significantly from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly.

He also noted that federal allocations increased from N5 billion to N7 billion in 2020, to the current N14 billion. According to him, the state’s debt profile had also dropped from over N280 billion to less than N100 billion.

The governor recalled that when he assumed office in 2020, major infrastructure in the state had collapsed. He said his administration had invested heavily in rebuilding roads and tackling insecurity. He acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy had worsened the cost of living but explained that it came with benefits.

“It’s a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy. What the government is confronted with now is how to ensure that the dividends of that policy trickle down to the common man on the street,” Uzodimma said.

He further disclosed that the state government would commence payment of the last batch of gratuities amounting to N16 billion owed to pensioners on August 27.

He also highlighted reforms in the health sector, which include the launch of health insurance schemes and the equipping of medical facilities to ensure improved healthcare delivery for Imo citizens.

Uzodimma mentioned that his administration had aligned with the Federal Government’s project of establishing 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward to promote entrepreneurship and economic development.

The governor urged labour unions to unite and foster strong relations with the state government, while also encouraging workers to add value to their services.

He cautioned against unethical practices and redundancy in the workplace, stressing the need for accountability and commitment among the workforce.

The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, on 26th August 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer of Simba Group, Mr. Lavender Gupta.

During the visit, Mr. Osanipin commended Simba Group for its continuous support to NADDC and the Nigerian automotive sector. He acknowledged the company’s sponsorship and delivery of three successful training programs in Ekiti, Kano, and Lagos, which he said have significantly contributed to capacity development in the industry.

He stressed that Simba’s strong brand presence in Nigeria has created avenues for customer engagement, while the training sessions have provided valuable feedback channels between the company and its end users. According to him, such initiatives are vital for strengthening local automotive growth and sustaining the industry’s long-term competitiveness.

In his remarks, Mr. Gupta reiterated Simba Group’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with NADDC and the wider automotive ecosystem.

He expressed satisfaction with the training outcomes but recommended that future programs should be structured into three categories: basic, advanced, and superior training to meet the diverse needs of participants.

He explained that entrepreneurs and shop owners should receive specialized training tailored to their business needs instead of being grouped with mechanics and employees.

He added that partners and aspiring business owners must be equipped with both technical knowledge and business development skills to enable them to sell vehicles, grow enterprises, and achieve greater independence.

Mr. Gupta further emphasized that skilled technicians and mechanics should continue to receive advanced hands-on technical training to enhance expertise and service delivery across the sector.

Highlighting the importance of attaching value to training, he suggested that a token fee be introduced for participants. “When people pay, they tend to value the experience more, which would further elevate the professionalism and impact of the sessions,” he said.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Simba Group facility. Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to skill development, local capacity building, and sustainable growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

They also agreed to explore further innovations in training models aimed at empowering Nigerians, supporting entrepreneurship, and contributing to the Federal Government’s industrial development agenda.

Adamawa State University (ADSU) Mubi and the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA) are set to partner on a new initiative aimed at youth empowerment and entrepreneurship in Adamawa State. The plan will focus on practical training and funding support to reduce unemployment and curb youth restiveness.

The Vice Chancellor of ADSU, Prof. Augustine Clement, led a management team on a courtesy visit to the Director General of PAWECA, Dr. Michael Zira. Both leaders discussed how the institutions could combine resources to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

Prof. Clement said, “The university is excited about PAWECA’s programs, especially the Technical Skills Training Centres, which equip young people with relevant skills for livelihood.”

He revealed that ADSU would assign its technical staff to collaborate with PAWECA in preparing and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement will enable students to gain hands-on experience, share ideas, and move away from depending solely on government jobs.

Dr. Michael Zira noted that PAWECA is also preparing a program for retirees, called “From Retirement to Wealth.” The initiative will provide income opportunities and security for people leaving active service.

According to him, “We want to create a clear policy direction for retirees to remain active and financially secure, and we hope the university will play a role in shaping this plan.”

The partnership between ADSU and PAWECA is seen as a strategic investment in skills development and financial empowerment. By focusing on entrepreneurship training and technical programs, both institutions aim to support young people and retirees alike.