As the idea of competing kindreds have accelerated Igboland beyond black Africa, so too should the idea of competing states.
I don't buy into the idea of Onitsha being a 'trading city' while Owerri is a 'tourist city'. Owerri should be build bigger and better markets than what is in Onitsha and Onitsha bigger and better hotels than what is in Owerri. I'm pan-igbo in my thinking but part of that comes with an understanding of the value of diverse competing parties for the sake of progress. In Onitsha sees that Asaba or Enugu is building an international market that's better than there the pressure to improve their own will skyrocket. Even now, Aba has a monopoly on business from PH and Akwa Ibom as most of those states and cities residents get their supplies and shopping needs from Aba. So both Aba and Osha can exist as trading and industry cities without competing with each other. But if Umuahia becomes more industrial, Aba will have to step up, and if Asaba becomes more industrial, Osha will have to step up. So I don't believe we should encouage any 'one stop shop' economies in the east. Each kindred, or city, should look at their respective areas are a sovereign entity and not think about their citizens going elsewhere for employment. In doing this they will make sure to have every possible economic sector represented in a competitive way in their zone.

Thoughts?

competition, if done the right way, boosts up the free market.

when done the wrong way, turns into a bunch of meaningless jargon and merry go rounds while going nowhere.

Healthy competition brings out the best

I don't buy into the competition like you highlighted. I don't see why Owerri should build a market just to compete with Onitsha when they should use their uniqueneas to their advantage. That's not to say Owerri cannot have a market but not necessarily in the scale of Onitsha. We should learn to support ourselves.

I dnt fink owerri has what it takes to compete with onitsha, meanwhile am from owerri

chimerase2:
I dnt fink owerri has what it takes to compete with onitsha, meanwhile am from owerri

Owerri has the trappings of being the Las Vegas of the east. They should develop based on that uniqueness.

Owerri should continue with her tourism and hospitality industry,onitsha should continue with her commercial activities,nnewi and aba should continue with her industrial nature.
It's makes no sense for asaba and owerri to wake up one morning and decides to compete with onitsha in commercial,it is achievable but it will take them so many years to catch up with onitsha.