Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has thanked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for choosing Aba in Abia State as the hub for local industrial development in the South East.
Governor Otti was speaking when he received in audience the Chairman, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, and the Director General of the institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who came on a working visit to his office.
He said that the decision to choose Aba fits into what his administration is doing in the State.
“I want to also thank you for considering Abia and resisting the pressure from others.
“So, I want to thank you and assure you that the decision you took is the right decision.
“And I can assure you that this one fits perfectly into what we are quietly doing here. You may not have known that we just set up an Export Growth Lab in Aba,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti further assured the delegation of his support to enable the institute to realise the mandate of President Bola Tinubu, in the development of the local industry.
The State’s Chief Executive directed his Principal Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer to be in charge and ensure that every assistant needed is provided.
The Governor noted that Ariaria International Market has about 60,000 shoemakers, and informed the delegation that his Government has an interest in the management of the Enyimba Shoe and Garment factories.
“The State has also taken an active interest in the management of Enyimba Shoe and Garment factories.
“So, we appointed a new management team to drive the factories to the desired destination. The NIPSS may also want to take an interest.
“Just see what we are doing there. It’s still early days, but I’m sure you’ll be happy. Our predecessors handed it over to us, but the structure and the management were very faulty. So, we spent over a year trying to untie some of the roadblocks, and then I think we have gotten it off the ground now.
Earlier, the Chairman of, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, appreciated the Governor for his giant developmental strides and progressive initiatives. He commended him for putting the State on the global map for the right reasons.
Senator Nnamani pointed out that the local industrial hub is a different issue that concerns the whole of the Southeast zone and maintained that Abia deserves to be selected.
Contributing, the Director General, National Institute for Policy Strategic Studies, Prof. Ayo Omotayo noted that though the National Institute of Strategy and Policy Studies is mostly known for the Senior Executive Courses that it runs, it has the mandate of Mr. President to come up with policies and strategies that would develop Nigeria.
“Mr. President believes that a whole lot of potential exists in the six geographical zones and has charged us to unlock that potentials.
“And we found out that for trade and industry, out of the six geographical zones, most of the talents exist more in the Southeast.
“Without doubt, the Southeast has the natural talent and creativity for industries, innovations, building, and so on. So, we chose the Southeast as the best hub for local industrial development and local industrial revitalisation. After the Southeast was chosen, we drew it down to each of the states, and Abia State was selected.
“At the National Institute, we don’t put emotions into things. It’s based on the data. And we found out that Abia is the hub for local inventions, local innovations, and an area where we can easily take out local content,” Omotayo stated.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, and other members of the State Executive Council took part in the meeting and PowerPoint presentation by the NIPSS team.
