GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU’S SMART APPROACH TO GOVERNANCE ENGAGES FEDERAL ACCOLADES.

by Ubani Newman Ubani
#AbiaOnline
Indisputably, God’s Own State, Abia State, is on a steady rise using all indices employed in assessment of a modern state. It is gratifying to observe that Abia State is on the verge of setting the pace of industrial revolution in Nigeria and in West Africa at large. It is cheering that the government at the centre have bought into the vision and initiative of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as regards the “Made-in-Aba” support campaign in areas of collaboration and synergy for the realization of industrial clusters in Aba, provision of reliable power supply and other incentives. It’s thrilling and assuring how Governor Ikpeazu has transformed the Abia State by his “smart business approach to governance,” as recently affirmed by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Members of the federal cabinet must have been overwhelmed in no small measure by the panoramic sweep of Governor Ikpeazu’s vision, the uncommon ease by which he addressed the series of questions posed and the sheer infectiveness of his zeal and enthusiasm. Today, we can boast of befitting and functional socio-economic amenities and strong institutions of government in Abia State. The laudable commendations of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo could not have been less deserving. His words were succinct and full of insight: “With Aba, Nigerians have no business with China.”
The diversification mantra of the federal government is based on the possibility of developing emerging centres of excellence in areas of inherent prospects and capacities in agriculture/agribusiness, mining, manufacturing and technical innovation. Knowing fully well that harnessing and optimizing our comparative advantage in trade, commerce and industry will foster an exponential rise in IGR, Governor Ikpeazu is set to wean our dear state from the doldrums of over-dependence on monthly allocations from the already depleted national treasury. In the home front, the infrastructural restructuring of Aba as well as the strengthening of the security architecture, is to serve as a catalyst for sustainable growth and development, which has become the preoccupation of the Governor Ikpeazu’s administration. That premium is placed on infrastructure is evident in the number of completed or undergoing road construction projects dotting the geographical landscape of the state. Even a doubting Thomas can unwittingly accede to the infrastructural revolution across the Abia space. The multiplier effects will be job creation and employment opportunities, and the improvement of the standard of living in a virile and stable economy.
We have never had it so good! The glory of the city of Aba as the SME capital of Nigeria, the “Japan of Africa,” home to indigenous inventors, fabricators, artisans and all dimensions of entrepreneurship has been soaring to unprecedented heights since the inception of the administration of Governor Ikpeazu. This is because of the invaluable support to local producers in every conceivable way, including creating an enabling environment for growth and expansion, facilitating and subsidizing the mechanisms for improved quality delivery, and extensive promotion of indigenous products at national and international levels, thereby bringing Aba to the fore of national discourse on the patronage of “Made-in-Nigeria” goods and services as an indispensable means of boosting our foreign exchange performance.
It is only fair to applaud President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for displaying immense commitment and zeal towards the “Made-in-Aba “campaign of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration. We must admit that we cannot do it alone without the synergy with the institutions and agencies of the federal government, if this initiative must be driven to its halcyon shores. Effective harmonization and systematic integration of the mandates of the various agencies of government, for example, NAFDAC and SON holds the promise to be a panacea to so many bureaucratic impediments to productivity in commercial and industrial enterprises. It is in this light that the order from Prof. Osinbajo to ease the processes of business registration and taxation of SMEs in Aba is proactive.
I therefore make a clarion call to all Nigerians to throw their weight behind our indigenous products so as to salvage the Nigerian economy from over-dependence on foreign products with its attendant burden of foreign exchange. By our collective cooperation, we can pull out from economic downturn.
With his requisite preparation in academics, administration, socialization, planning and unquenchable good political will, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is doubtless, a square peg in a square hole, determined to take Abia to higher heights. We can only pray for him and continue wishing him the best in his governance while we discharge our civic responsibilities.
GOD BLESS ABIA STATE.