…AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAME DOWN TO ABIA.

#Abiaonline
By Ikechukwu Iroha.
It was an outpouring of panegyric yesterday at the International Conference Center in Umuahia, where the FG launched the “Change Begins With Me” campaign in Abia State.
Ministers of the Federal Government had a robust engagement with Abians from all strata.
Indications from our August visitors, seem that Abia State has a place in every plan of the Federal Government.
The first eulogy was from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. According to him, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is a leader that puts the nation and his state first before politics”.
Obviously, he was reacting to how the State under Dr.Ikpeazu has been able to gain federal confidence and attention towards the greater good of Abians.
It is therefore important to note that, after elections, politics and leadership take separate ways. As a Leader with people’s interest at heart, Dr Ikpeazu has continuously engaged and fashioned out ways to bringing development, by liaising with the Federal Government, which has resulted to several millions of contracts to Aba Leather and Garment makers, attention of Federal agencies to further contribute to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Abia State.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s confession did not come to Abians who already know Dr Ikpeazu’s giant strides, achievements and academic records, as a surprise.
Alhaji Lai thanked the Governor for championing the campaign for local production of goods in Nigeria. He believes that the administration of Dr Ikpeazu takes growth of SMEs and development of the State very seriously. Such great move, necessitated the visit of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo who was in Aba to launch MSME Clinic. Abians stand to benefit from the Visit of the Acting President, especially in the area of funding small businesses, removal of bottlenecks, registration of companies as well as championing the campaign globally. The multiplier effect will increase employment, improve IGR and bring about development of these critical sectors of the economy.
On the part of Dr Okechukwu Emelama, the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abia has gone beyond the rhetorics of job creation and has taken practical steps to reposition local industries and locally produced goods.
Abia State is setting a pace. For there to be strong evidence of development, the state and federal government must work together to deliver results. The State Governor has shown the willingness by eschewing politics of partisanship while pursuing alliances that could result to projects. 
Abia will benefit the most from Launching of industrial zones. Especially as the State is building clusters and has also qualified as the SME hub of Nigeria.
Chief Audu Ogbe, Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, understands that he shares some genetic similarities with the Governor in the area of Agriculture based on the minister’s template in development of Agric which already is being replicated practically in Abia State.
While efforts are being made by the federal government to reduce importation of Palm oil by encouraging States to develop Palm plantations , Abia already has planted over 2 million palm seedlings at Ahiaba Umunze in Osisioma Ngwa, and is targeting 7.5 million palm seedlings before 2019 in order to become a major exporter of Palm oil in the country. 
The Minister who was visibly elated by the revelation, questioned why govt should import palm oil in the future going by what Abia has started.
Abia, Ondo and Cross River State have been marked to benefit from the new policy of the Federal Government on cocoa production.
Abia will manage a cashew processing plant which is to be in six States.
Abia State will benefit from policies and plans of the Federal Government on Rice production and distribution. 
It should be noted that Dr. Ikpeazu is a strong advocate for local production and consumption of Agric produce. It could be seen in the ongoing school feeding programmes where School pupils and students are served locally produced foods with high nutrients.
Dr. Chris Ngige, Hon Minister of Labour and Productivity, emphasized on what Abia needs. According to him, FG has recognized Abia as a front runner in the campaign for made in Nigeria products. He stressed that, What Aba is doing is not inferior to what Malaysia does in the area of garments and leather, which informed why he started making his cloths in Aba since the past two years.
The Minister expressed happiness at what the Government is doing at the center for skills acquisition which is ongoing in the three Senatorial Zones. Abia State has the resources to be Self sufficient.
Dr Ngige encouraged people to engage and register in the Federal Government Npower programme which is going to reopen again in March.
Abia has been selected as the Southeast Centre for skills acquisition of the Npower programme. It was a practical testimony of the Multidisciplinary Skill Centre located at Umuobiakwa in Obingwa LGA, where the Minister toured while in Abia.
“Igbos people strive better under difficult situations, The spirit of ‘it is not over until the final whistle’ differentiates the region from others”
“The region is made up of Stars that believe in Commitment and Results. It is the same spirit that Abians show everywhere and that is what the country needs today” These remarks were made by the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Alhaji Bawa Buhari.
We have relied so much on oil, therefore the mandate is now to diversify.
He spoke on how State and Federal government can work together to ensure safer mining practices, create employment, bring back the sector for the benefit of people. He also said that Nigeria has more than 44 identified mineral resources in Nigeria.
Abia has huge deposit of some of the minerals like limestone in Arochukwu, Bitumen and other minerals. The plan is to encourage miners and as a State, enjoy 13% derivatives as in oil exploration.