Discovering Nigeria through Owerri- by Tolu Aderemi
My first visit to Owerri in Imo State was a quiet revelation: clean airports and roads, comfortable hotels, serene villages and fresh air, a reminder that the treasures of our country are often right on our doorstep. Like many other Nigerians, and despite having visited places such as Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom, I had wrongly assumed I knew the South East. Visiting Owerri corrected that assumption and opened my eyes.
Let Owerri be a point of contact for the rest of the country. If we discover Nigeria through its states, we will learn local terrains and cultures, circulate resources at home, and strengthen regional economies. From a commercial perspective this is practical and urgent. Domestic travel and local investment keep money in communities, grow hospitality and agricultural value chains, create jobs and reveal untapped opportunities. When citizens and entrepreneurs intentionally explore and invest regionally, markets expand and standards rise.
I saw visible improvements in Owerri that deserve praise. I commend Governor Hope Uzodinma for what I observed and I hope those gains are replicated across Imo State. When more leaders prioritise tangible public goods, they attract visitors and investors alike.
As a commercial lawyer this trip reinforced how we should serve clients. Great service is not just collecting client money, it is meeting clients technical, business and social needs and going the extra mile to understand the environments where they operate. That approach builds trust, uncovers commercial opportunities and sets us apart.
Ultimately we should aim to build genuine new economic zones across Nigeria, well serviced and strategically linked to industry and commerce to boost productivity and attract investment. I am grateful to Prince Charles Amadi and family for inviting me to join them for his birthday, a warm reminder that personal connections often lead to deeper discoveries at home. Let us travel, invest and build Nigeria through its states.
