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By Henry Uche
The Abia Think Tank Association (ATTA) has called on indigenous entrepreneurs, technocrats, industrialists, tech enthusiasts, health and agricultural experts, to move decisively and leverage the growing range of opportunities created by the Abia State government, stressing that proactive engagement is key to unlocking sustainable economic growth in the state.
The group emphasised that the Alex Otti administration has already laid a solid foundation through policy reforms, infrastructure development, and investor-friendly initiatives, but warned that the real impact will depend on how quickly local businesses respond and scale their participation.
Speaking at a symposium in Lagos yesterday, former Director General of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Chuku Wachukwu, who applauded the state government said though the state has not reached its desired destination, it is no longer where it used to be.
“Abians are not lazy and we don’t have production problems, but conversion and processing problems. Abia should be leading in what other states are struggling to build. The question is no longer whether Abia can rise, the question is who will rise with it,” he said.
The keynote speaker, Uche Orji, former MD/CEO of Nigerian Sovereign Wealth, echoed that given the level of good governance delivered by Otti, Abia should no longer elect governors and other public officers who never had jobs or businesses before delving into politics.
Speaking on the theme ‘Renewed Nigeria’s Economic Resurgence: Is Abia Prepared?’ Orji affirmed that the requisite good governance reform platform has been built, the security addressed and the investment framework has been established.
Meanwhile, the financing landscape MOFI, NSIA, BOI, DBN, FINCLUDE, Afreximbank, UKEF, he noted, has never offered more accessible capital to Nigerian entrepreneurs and project developers, but Abia State, under Governor Otti, has never been better positioned to receive and deploy that capital.
“We are calling on Nigerian industrialists to anchor manufacturing operations in the Enyimba Economic City and the AIIP. We are calling on agro-investors to partner on palm oil, cassava, rice, and food value chains. We are calling on technology investors to help build Abia’s digital economy. We are calling on healthcare and pharmaceutical investors to elevate the state’s medical capacity.
“We are calling on the Abia entrepreneurs – the leather goods makers, the garment producers, the food processors, the farmers, the tech founders to formalise their businesses, engage the Abia PPP Office, and access the river of national and international capital that is now flowing and available.
“The Abia Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office stands ready to guide every serious investor and every Abia entrepreneur through the entry process, structure appropriate engagements, and provide ongoing support. The door is open. Come and build with us,” he implored.
On his part, the President of the Association, Sam Ohuabunwa, commended the State governor for delivering dividends of democracy to the admiration of the people, however, said more works are yet to be delivered.
Ohuabunwa enjoined all Abia professionals across the globe to think home and make Abia the epitome and cynosure of all eyes. “ATTA has been supporting the government and shall keep doing that. The blind and dumb can see and speak of the good works of the governor” he maintained.
For the MD/CEO of Cowry Assets, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, he threw weight behind those calling for purposeful leadership, while commending the infrastructure strides of the governor.
He said, “Leadership defines everything” and encouraged the governor to pursue his vision of building a seaport and airport for the state.
Also, a former gubernatorial candidate, Uche Ogah, commended Governor Otti and affirmed that the state is set for investors to explore, saying, “If Abia moves, Nigeria moves. Everyone appreciates the governor. He is bringing out the best and we are optimistic.”
Responding, the state governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Celeb Ajagba, said that Abia is ripe and set for greatness given the unprecedented level of development in the state.
He noted that if Nigeria could have more responsible, accountable and efficient governors, the country would be a better place to live.
“The governor is ticking the right boxes. He has seen tomorrow, and put every necessary thing in the rightful places. We are one of the safest states and best in critical infrastructure, human capital, among others. There is a development plan for the next 25 years. Abia has become the template for good governance,” he added.
Other indigenous participants at the symposium unanimously encouraged the governor and warned against distractors to cease because the governor is not a pushover, but a determined and a focused leader and administrator par excellence who would stop at nothing to give his people the best governance.
