Ex-UK PM, Boris Johnson, in Imo, says he’s safe in Nigeria, commends govt

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has commended the security and developmental strides in Imo State, contradicting negative preconceptions he encountered before his visit.

Johnson, speaking on Thursday at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, hosted by Governor Hope Uzodimma, addressed initial concerns head-on.

“I read some things before coming, with people suggesting security problems,” he stated. “Let me ask you: do you feel safe here today? Yes, we all feel safe. And I feel perfectly safe. Thank you, Governor, for what you are doing.”

He specifically praised Governor Uzodimma’s drive to provide 24-hour electricity, calling it essential for economic transformation. Johnson highlighted the critical role of Artificial Intelligence in realizing this vision.

“Your focus on electricity is completely right. What is the future? The future is AI… I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and for the whole of Nigeria.”

Reflecting on UK-Nigeria relations, Johnson celebrated the deep historic ties and two-way exchange of talent and goods.

“We send you pharmaceuticals, bankers, services… And you send us so much in return: oil and gas, Nollywood movies, brilliant doctors, nurses, and tech geniuses,” he said.

He humorously added, “We send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”

The high-profile event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, alongside former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Aliko Dangote, Finance Minister Wale Edun, several state governors, and other dignitaries.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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