From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said the One Kindred, One Business Initiative (OKOBI) is part of his administration’s strategies to address the challenges of rural poverty and unemployment in the state.
This is even as he noted that the role of good governance is to improve the quality of lives of the citizens of the state.
Uzodimma pointed out that his administration has also initiated other youth empowerment programmes such as the Skillup programme in which over 15, 000 youths have been trained in different aspects of ICT and digital economy.
Speaking at the OKOBI Summit organised by the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of Imo State at the weekend, Governor Uzodimma said: “As you maybe aware One Kindred One Business Initiative ( OKOBI) is one of the strategies of our 3R Agenda for grassroot economic empowerment. It is not in doubt that our people are going through a lot of challenges, and the role of good governance is to enhance the quality of life. The goal of OKOBI is to address the challenges of poverty, informality, and unemployment in a way that meets the people where they are.”
Continuing, he said: “The OKOBI Summit provides a platform to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange innovative ideas, and forge partnerships that will undoubtedly propel our communities and our nation towards unprecedented heights. Let this summit be a testament to our shared determination to surmount challenges and embrace opportunities. United, we can plot a course towards the future defined by unity, innovation, and sustainable progress. Let us strive for a harmonious coexistence, recognising that our survival and prosperity are intricately linked to one another.
In his remarks, the deputy governor, Prof Placid Njoku pointed out that the initiative has served the Chinese well where a community is noted for a single project and said it has been an age long culture of the Igbo to pull resources together to execute a common project like building of schools or healthcare centres.
He said that there is also a ready market for any product produced by the community.
Also, speaking at the summit, former national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Maurice Iwu, lauded the initiative, noting that OKOBI has been part and parcel of the Igbo culture.
Earlier, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Prof Kenneth Amaeshi, said that the initiative envisions a future where kindreds collaborate as economic keepers, creating communal businesses that embody their passion, skills and resources.
“True to the spirit of “Igwebuike,” the power of collective action, OKOBI embraces the kindred spirit shared by diverse groups, including friends, social clubs, and co-workers. These groups, united by common pursuit for collective prosperity, embody the inclusive spirit of the OKOBI initiative. This summit is a testament to the Igbo people’s character and resolve, their hard-working nature, and their commitment to rising above the challenges they face,” Amaeshi said.