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In Abia, Governor Alex Otti has officially launched the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council, directing its members to develop initiatives concentrated on recognizing, capitalizing on, and showcasing the state’s areas of comparative advantage.
Addressing the audience on Thursday at the Government House, Umuahia, Otti emphasized that the composition of the council reflects the state’s vision.
The Governor further noted that this development sends a robust signal to potential investors, indicating that “Abia is poised to become the next big thing.”
Otti highlighted the government’s determination to position Abia as a preferred investment destination for global businesses, spotlighting the establishment of a council featuring intellectual giants collaborating closely with the government to realize this vision.
Furthermore, he outlined that the council would partner with the government and local stakeholders, such as chambers of commerce, industry, mines, and agriculture, to draw the attention of the global investing community to these opportunities.
He expressed optimism that this Council can help the government achieve its vision in the next 24 months.
Otti said: “We are not just seeking to attract a few big manufacturing outfits in the State to score cheap political points.
“Our ultimate goal is to re-make the entire State into a robust enterprise ecosystem with clear pathways to bigger global and regional markets.
“We are keen to transform our traditional agro-economy to become a major player in the global agricultural value chain, producing sufficient output to feed the local population and then for export.
“In Aba, we do not just make quality footwear and clothing; given the right support, our shoemakers and fashion designers can compete with the best anywhere in the world.
“Aba is also very strong on metal fabrication, wood works and mechanical construction, sadly, the immense potential of our people has stayed hidden and under-utilised for far too long.
“The good thing is that we now have an effective machinery to create a new era of prosperity, employment and layers of opportunities for these resilient and creative individuals.”
Read also: Governor Alex Otti Swears In 24 Permanent Secretaries
Highlighting the past seven months, Council Co-Chair Miss Arunma Oteh commended the present administration, acknowledging its impressive array of accomplishments.
Oteh portrayed Abia as a region brimming with limitless opportunities and emphasized that unlocking these potentials could spur significant socioeconomic advancement in the state.
With delight, she affirmed her commitment to the people of Abia, vowing to provide them with her very best..
“I pray that whatever we do as a council in collaboration with the government will contribute in a significant way to transform Abia,”Oteh said.
Another Co-Chair of the Council, Mr Bolaji Balogun, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the people of Abia.
They also urged the Governor to ensure that the pieces of advice he would receive from the council would be implemented.
Speaking on the matter, the former Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, underscored the need to provide investors with a firm guarantee that their investments would be both secure and profitable.
In his advice, Lamido urged the governor to promote the state to investors and, as a member of the national economic council, contribute to the shaping of “sensible economic policies.”
In their separate speeches, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and former Minister of Finance Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu emphasized the need for the council to live up to expectations in the discharge of its duty.
They stressed the need for the Governor to follow through on the advice received from the council.
