By Kingsley Maduforo
There has been a call for good development and good leadership in Abia, a kind that will transform the fortunes of the state and rewrite the wrongdoings of the previous administrations. There was a cry to develop and promote the I-can-do-spirit of an average Abian. But what was lacking? This question was unanswered until 2015, and there came a man called Okezie Ikpeazu, elected as the fourth democratic governor of the state.
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, upon assumption of office in 2015 has shown his political will to tackle and solve the lingering issues patterning to development in Abia State. Upon him was a huge responsibility which he started tackling from its very foundation. He started building from the scratch so as to deliver projects that will outlive his tenure.
The governor’s commitment in changing the narrative of infrastructural development and his approach towards diversifying the state economy are, indeed, commendable. The government of Gov. Ikpeazu has played a huge role in creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in all sector of the state’s economy.
The automated garment and shoe factories are another plus for Gov. Ikpeazu in his industrialization agenda in the state. These factories will be a booster and a dream-come-through for the governor, to have a state running a macro economic system. Aba being the hub of SMEs in Nigeria today, is a major source of our strength, the governor is leveraging on this factor to promote our local products, as it remains a means through which a sustainable development can be achieved.
The Enyimba automated shoe factory at Umuokahia in Aba, has since started operations and with this Ultra modern garment factory, Gov. Ikpeazu is taking Abia to the world.
On the above, the governor tweeted “further to my industrialization agenda, I have dispatched a team to Bangladesh, Vietnam and Turkey respectively on exploratory visit for the planned Ultra modern garment factory we are opening soon in Abia to complement the already established shoe factory. I am poised as ever to make Aba the fashion capital of Nigeria with automated shoe and garment factories producing in tens of thousands daily. That’s job, jobs and more jobs for our people.”
With the automated shoe and garment factories in Abia running simultaneously, Gov. Ikpeazu is gradually taking Abia to the promised land. The benefits of the two factories are enormous, which includes: reduction of poverty, crime, unemployment and creation of more jobs that will engage our youths meaningfully.
Abians who are known for their manufacturing skills in the fabrication of equipment and tools, garment, finished leather products such as shoes, belts and bags, and other sundry products, with this development can compete globally, thereby helping in growing the economy of the state. And they have Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to thank for it.
Kingsley Maduforo, a Media Analyst, writes from Umuahia.