A high-level gathering of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors from across the South-South geopolitical zone convened in Asaba, Delta State, with a strong call for unity, coordinated messaging, and intensified grassroots mobilization in support of the Tinubu administration.
The two-day zonal workshop and summit brought together key political figures, including former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Imo State Governor and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Hope Uzodinma, and Chairman of the occasion and South-West Coordinator of the group, Adedayo Adeyeye.
In his keynote remarks, Okowa described Nigeria as being at a “defining moment,” noting that the Tinubu administration inherited significant economic challenges, including fiscal instability, high inflation, unemployment, and declining investor confidence. He said the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was focused on addressing structural weaknesses and laying a foundation for sustainable growth.
According to him, ongoing reforms, ranging from subsidy removal and fiscal discipline to tax administration and infrastructure financing, were already yielding measurable results. He cited improvements in foreign reserves, increased revenue allocations to states, rising crude oil production, and expansion in local refining capacity as signs of progress.
Okowa, however, acknowledged a communication gap between government policies and public understanding, stressing that many Nigerians were yet to fully grasp the long-term benefits of the reforms. He charged the ambassadors to bridge this gap by translating policies into relatable messages and actively engaging citizens at the grassroots.
“You are the bridge between government performance and citizen awareness,” he said, urging participants to counter misinformation with facts and consistent engagement across communities, markets, and institutions.
Chairman of the occasion, Sen. Adedayo Adeyeye, in his remarks, described the South-South as a critical political and economic bloc, noting that the region has historically played a significant role in determining national electoral outcomes. He said the current alignment of the region with the All Progressives Congress (APC) provides a strategic advantage ahead of future elections.
He commended Okowa for his leadership and for convening the workshop, while congratulating newly appointed coordinators at state, local government, and ward levels, describing their roles as a “call to service.”
Adeyeye emphasized that ambassadors represent the president at their respective levels and must therefore communicate government policies with clarity and conviction. “At the state, local government, and ward levels, you carry the message and mandate of the president. You are, in essence, extensions of his office,” he said, urging them to effectively project the administration’s achievements and engage citizens with facts.
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Host Governor Oborevwori, in his address, underscored the importance of unity within the APC, noting that the South-South region was now firmly represented within the party across its states. He described the summit as a strategic platform to strengthen party structures and sharpen communication efforts. He urged the ambassadors to remain steadfast in defending government policies despite opposition narratives and to focus on building trust among the electorate through effective grassroots engagement. “Grassroots mobilization is not just about numbers—it is about convincing the people and earning their trust,” Gov. Oborevwori said.
On his part, Gov. Uzodinma stressed the need for alignment across all levels of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ structure nationwide, insisting on a unified message anchored on the framework: “one party, one message, one mobilization.” He revealed that a comprehensive national work plan had been developed to guide operations, outlining responsibilities from the national to the ward levels, and urged participants to internalize it for effective implementation.
Gov. Uzodinma acknowledged that while macroeconomic indicators were improving, many Nigerians were still grappling with the immediate effects of reforms, stressing the need for sustained engagement to bridge the gap between policy outcomes and public perception. “Reforms take time. The pain is often immediate, but the benefits come later,” he said.
The summit also featured sessions on grassroots mobilization, communication strategies, and policy advocacy aimed at equipping participants with the skills required to effectively promote the administration’s agenda.
In a vote of thanks, Funkekeme Solomon expressed appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for hosting the event and commended stakeholders and participants for their contributions to the success of the summit.
The Asaba meeting is seen as part of broader efforts by the APC to consolidate support ahead of future political engagements by strengthening grassroots structures and harmonizing messaging across the country.
