Cognizant of the cornucopia of the natural, human, agricultural, mineral resources Abia is endowed with, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on assumption of office, immediately hit the ground running, embarking on cross border trade missions aimed at revamping, broadening, expanding the industrial and entrepreneurial potentials of the state.
The Abia chief executive is the brand ambassador for made-in-aba leather and garments sub sectors in the country and internationally. It is pertinent to mention that Aba, the ENYIMBA City, from time of yore has always been at the matrix of the global supply/value chain of production of goods, commodities, commerce and services. Sampler: for decades, Aba has been known for great tailoring. Of all Nigerian towns, Aba, alone, is known for haberdashery. Bespoke men’s suits made in Aba, have found their ways to the big markets of the world, particularly Dubai, from where they are re-exported to third countries, including Nigeria, rebranded as Italian suits!.
Middle men and moonlighting travelers have for decades creamed off the sweat and skills of Aba tailors. Friends of Dr. Okezie Action Group have decided to cascade and propagate the extraordinary leather and garment making skills to primary & secondary school children.
Recently, one of the governor’s aid, the SSA to governor Ikpeazu on Job Creation and Youth Development began the supply of over 100 shoes and leather bags to school children per primary school. Yesterday in Osaa Ukwu and Owo Ahia Afor in Obingwa Local Government Area, Mr. Chinenye Nwaogu and Mr. Ihuoma, an indigene of the village who is resident in the USA and keyed into this project gave a boost to education through the distribution of Made-In-Aba shoes and sandal to pupils of these remote areas.
People with the world-class skills of Aba tailors should be encouraged by patronizing made-in-aba, as this would reduce poverty and under employment. Thanks to Dr. Okezie’s who is the arrow head of a high powered delegation, laws have passed to encourage local content consumption. We would want to appreciate the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chief of Army Staff General T. Buratai and the former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for their unwavering support for Made-in-Aba leather and garments goods. Abia has low cost but high quality haberdashery.
A cluster is “a geographical concentration of inter-related industries that are engaged in the manufacturing of similar products”. The Aba Leather and Garment Industrial City has taken off in earnest. The Industrial City is located at Umukalika in Obingwa LGA within the greater Aba Metropolis. The Industrial City is a full-service Public Private Partnership Initiative wherein the Abia State Government is providing the land and infrastructure while a Private Developer is providing the buildings and managing the offtake.
Facilities will include latest equipment and machinery for processing finished leather goods, industrial clothing line management and an ambient environment for enterprises to thrive. The Industrial City comes with a Waste Recycling Power Plant to Power the entire complex and guarantee 24hr power supply. The people’s Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ikpeazu has distinguished himself in the quest for self sufficiency. It’s a project that has continued to give good record.
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