Follow Us on Google
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Senator Chris Adighije, has commended the developmental initiative of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
Adighije, in a statement on Thursday, noted that the Abia State Industrial Innovation Park” (AIIP), would shore up the revenue of the Abia State.
According to him, AIIP was novel, and a double feat with multiple benefits, which would not only benefit the state, but the country, the West African subregion and the Continent at large.
“I join the government and people of Abia to celebrate this onerous feat of positioning our Dear State on the World map.
“For long Abia State has been the darling of commerce and technological innovations that has endeared it to people and places beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“Products from Aba have traveled to Bamali in Mali, Dakar in Senegal, Aswan in Egypt, Ashanti in Ghana, to list a few places in Africa.
“In Europe, Madrid in Spain, London in UK, Oslo in Norway, Heidelberg in Germany, just as Kyoto in Asia’s Japan, Sydney in Australia, among others, all bear testimonies of the ingenuity of people in Abia State.
“Such words as “Aba Made” is a common cliche among Nigerians, whether it is spoken with patriotism or otherwise.
“To therefore birth an idea of an “Abia State Industrial Innovation Park” (AIIP) is novel, and a double feat with multiple benefits, not only for the state, but for the country, the West African subregion and the Continent at large.
“To start with, the idea is long overdue to help harness the state’s innovative and industrial drives into a systemic corridor that can be monitored and invested into, in a more scientific way.
“Two, the AIIP, as is currently designed and projected, will create immense job opportunities for the people of the state, and for other Nigerians as well, while also shoring up the government’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
“Thirdly, the AIIP would attract foreign investments from other places within and outside Nigeria, as it would also in turn, create a better export net for products from Aba, and/or, other parts of the state.
“Fourthly, as products from the AIIP travel to other places on the continent, and even outside Africa, the economy of scale resulting from this would further improve Per Capita Income of individuals and households, as it would allow for increase in taxes cum government income.
“I congratulate my son, His Excellency, Alex C. Otti, (CFR) and the good people of Abia State” in the groundbreaking ceremony of this monumental achievement.
“Abians are known for their hospitality as evident in the spread of people of different races, creeds and colours, who adorn the landscape of our motherland in their search for a better life.
“We assure you that we do not take your presence in our homeland for granted. We’re what we are today because of your collaborative efforts in areas too numerous to mention.
“And we assure also, key players in the private and public sectors, as well as other investors who would see the enormous potentials of the AIIP, that “you will not walk alone.”
“Together with our Governor, Abians will make your stay and businesses in our state remarkably rewarding.
“Pertinent to state that it is gratifying to say that since May 29, 2023 when the governor was sworn in as the Executive Governor of the state the issues and discussions of governance in Abia State have taken a positive dimension in the areas of Education, Infrastructural development, security, economy, etc,” he said.
