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Can Ndigbo Bounce Back?

By James Eze (eziokwubundu@gmail.com)

Before the Biafran War, Eastern Nigeria was one of the few regions of hope in black Africa. The World Bank made this official in 1964 when it named Eastern Nigeria the fastest growing regional economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Certain indices validated this position. Nigeria was the world’s largest exporter of palm oil and palm kernel at the time and almost 90% of that came from the Eastern Region. Beside palm oil, there were also cassava and coal which formed some of Nigeria’s major export earners. At the same time, the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation had grown into a behemoth, employing many people that helped stimulate and sustain consumption. It was a boom period for the region and when other Nigerians whispered in circles about “Igbo domination” at the time, it was mostly in terms of economic power.

Much of that came from the Great Zik and Mbonu Ojike who did quite an excellent job of crafting the Eastern Nigerian Economic Reconstruction Plan (1954-1964) which laid the foundation for the growth of the region. This economic roadmap took a life of its own in the hands of Dr. M.I Okpara and eventually blossomed into a buoyant economy that heightened talks of Igbo Domination, which eventually coalesced into plain fear and resentment from other ethnicities. Indeed, the economy of the Eastern Region was so strong that when the first gun shots of the Biafran War sounded in Garkem, the East was not too bedraggled to muster a response.

But the War ate up everything – people, infrastructure and of course the economy. The devastation was so colossal that by the time peace returned in 1970, the once buoyant economy had become crippled; completely exhausted and lifeless. Those who survived were clutching at straws, grasping at thin air and ending up with miserly twenty pound notes. At the time, the only thing that mattered was survival. With so much energy and dynamism seeking expression, something was bound to give. And it did in a number of ways. First, the Igbo elite were utterly fragmented and driven into individualist survival stratagems. This marked the foundation of divisiveness and lack of cohesion among our political elite to date. Sadly, it was to rob us of our brightest chance at the presidency in 1999 when Jim Nwobodo spoke Hausa in Jos to drive the final nail into the coffin of Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s presidential bid. Our political elite could never travel the same road to a meaningful destination. There were so many other ego wars strewn across the landscape as the Igbo elite sought to make something of the scraps that Nigeria had left them. At a point, the divisions and rivalries were so intense that one wondered if they were the same people who had worked together, lost family and friends together, fought together and stood up together to gaze eyeball to eyeball with genocide. One wondered how a group that long before the war, had pooled funds together in various Town Unions to send promising boys from different towns on overseas scholarships could have lost their kindred spirit all of a sudden.

The second post war reaction of the Igbo was a strong aversion or dislike for home. Perhaps it is only normal that people should flee the scene of a great loss. Perhaps other people have handled their own inheritance of loss better than the Igbo. Whichever was the case, the Igbo abandoned the scene that reminds them of great personal tragedies and began to sink their investments in any place else but Igboland. The Igbo homeland therefore became a territory with no “landmark.”

Ohaneze & Aka Ikenga
One of the most significant responses of the Igbo to their peculiar leadership challenges as a naturally acephalous group is the emergence of Ohaneze Ndigbo. This gathering of wise, old men, scholars, academics, community leaders and successful businessmen and women has played a critical role in preserving the Igbo ethnic nation since the association came into existence in 1976. Indeed Prof Ben Nwabueze may never fully understand what he did when he smartly assembled what would eventually become Ohaneze with the support of other cerebral personages like M. I Okpara, K. O Mbadiwe, Pius Okigbo, Jerome Udorji and many others. At the time, the Igbo were still shell-shocked from the war; struggling to regain self-belief. Through the years however, Ohanze has remained the bastion of Igbo pride and dignity in the gathering of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. It probably adds very little to observe that what the Igbo lack in a towering political leader whose voice is representative of the tribe has been taken care of by Ohaneze. The success of Ohaneze has spurn the emergence of Aka Ikenga, the intellectual arm of the umbrella group, Igbo Ezue, Mkpoko Igbo, World Igbo Congress and several other groups that have mutated over the years with the ostensible objective of pursuing Igbo interests. A good many of them have gone extinct though.

All these socio-cultural groups have sought to bring the Igbo together on the altar of brotherhood and unity. Through the years too, we have seen the rise of MASSOB with the sole mission of actualizing the Biafran project through non-violence. At its very peak, MASSOB held a strong appeal for Igbo youths who felt done in by the scorched earth policy of the federal government towards the South East of Nigeria. The group’s posture of non-violence had created a problem for the federal government that would have wished for a more obvious justification of a sinister crackdown on members of the group. In more ways than one, it could be said that MASSOB is the precursor to the emergence of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the self-determination group with a growing global appeal that is agitating for the realisation of the sovereign state of Biafra. Other groups like the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) and the Lower Niger Congress (LNC) have also sprung up to intensify the agitation.

It is instructive to note that a major objective of these groups including the agitators is the re-emergence of a more prosperous Igboland. Somehow, there is this niggling feeling
that these agitations would have been needless if there were no sense of alienation or neglect or a common plight in the hands of the federal government; if most federal roads in Igboland were not in such absolute disrepair and if there were no undisguised bareknuckle policy against the Igbo.

A Subtle Response
The Igbo have continued to mount a subtle response to Nigeria’s sustained indifference. A remarkable example is the growing spate of purposeful governance in Anambra State in the past thirteen years and Enugu State in the past nine years. Starting from Senator Chris Ngige through Sullivan Chime and Peter Obi to Governor Willie Obiano, the signs indicate that Igbo governors have finally realised that they have their work neatly cut out for them. They have discovered that the indifference of the Federal Government is not an acceptable explanation for Igbo backwardness. But perhaps more importantly, they have realised that though they may not have enough resources, the little they control can change the Igbo story in the 21st Century.

Although many people still point at the search for legitimacy as Ngige’s actual motive for building a network of durable roads in some parts of Anambra State in his time, his three-year regime has gone down in history as the turning point for Igbo governors to assume full responsibility for their states with the return to civilian rule. Peter Obi followed in his footsteps and further interpreted governance in terms of the linking up of towns and communities in the state with an impressive network of roads, the return of schools to the missions and a great foundation in primary healthcare. Sullivan Chime redefined governance in Enugu as a massive urban renewal initiative that earned the Coal City the enviable rating as one of the 35 cities across the world to join the Rockefeller Foundation’s Most Resilient Cities in 2014. Fueled by the desire to develop a proactive plan to address emerging challenges of urbanization, the Rockefeller Foundation had come up with the idea of selecting the second set of cities that would join its 100 Resilient Cities in the world that had demonstrated a commitment to building their own capacities to withstand the complexities of the 21st Century. As a result, 330 applications were received from 94 countries around the world. Quite interestingly, the chosen cities in Africa were Enugu (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana), Arusha Tanzania and Kigali (Rwanda) while the ones selected in Europe were Athens (Greece), Barcelona (Spain), Belgrade (Serbia), London (Great Britain), Lisbon (Portugal), Milan (Italy), Paris (France) and Thessaloniki (Greece). It is to former governor Chime’s credit that in addition to placing Enugu on the world map, he followed that rare feat up with the provision of security and the attraction of investments into the state.

Following this trajectory of excellence, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State had adopted a strategic approach to governance that opened the state up and turned it into Nigeria’s new investment destination. Obiano also clinically drove away the criminal elements that made the state difficult to inhabit and shored up the profile of Anambra as Nigeria’s most secured state. Obiano’s approach to urban development is exemplified in the amazing transformation of the Awka capital city into an emerging centrepiece for tourism with the three sparkling bridges and a vibrant social life. Obiano has also shifted the paradigm by firmly placing Anambra on the country’s agricultural map while maintaining her enviable position on the educational map.

The Real Hopes of a Comeback

It is indeed fascinating but not entirely strange to note that the earliest hints of a possible Igbo come-back showed up in Anambra State. The surprise really would have been if it had begun anywhere else earlier. The truth is; Anambra has always been the epicentre of Igbo ingenuity. Indeed, what has been noted as the growing new consciousness among Ndigbo to rebuild the homeland began with the first democratically elected governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, in the early 90s. It was this Harvard trained economist who first came up with the “Think Home” ideology. But Ezeife was probably ahead of his time. The auguries did not favour this campaign in his brief spell in office. However, he may have succeeded in planting the idea in the minds of many illustrious indigenes who were too terrified to invest at home by the scary security situation at the time.

It is therefore, hardly strange that the growing nostalgia for Igboland and the quest to rebuild it is one of the earliest obsessions of Governor Willie Obiano. Any close observer will recall his call-to-arms to his fellow Igbo in his inaugural address; his appeal to Ndigbo to repossess the pioneering touch they seemed to have dropped with the War. The speech was laced with strong emotional hooks that paraphrased Martin Luther King Jnr’s injunction on the imperatives of living together as brothers or perishing together as fools. Obiano’s Inaugural was full of sound bites, including his assurance that under his charge, Ndi Anambra had “no choice than to determine whether they were the sons and daughters of their fathers and true heirs to their pioneering excellence!” Indeed, from Obiano’s grand opening, we can trace a slow but steady psychological build up. A great component of this build up is the massively symbolic memorial for Igbo casualties of the Biafran War. It was the first time a government would put a garland of dignity on the memory the war heroes. The event was aptly titled Ozoemezina (Never Again!) In a sense, it was a brilliant move to appease the restless spirits of our dead brothers and sisters and summon their support for a grand Igbo renaissance. It turned out a wise move, because it would seem that Obiano has done nothing wrong ever since, attracting the listening ears of illustrious Anambra entrepreneurs who have solidly resolved to make a loud statement in Nigeria, beginning from their home state.

Obiano has also followed this up with a well-received address at the World Igbo Congress where he expressed dissatisfaction with the famed Igbo success story that reminded him of the paradox of a tree with roots in the sky. He subsequently made a strong appeal for a joint effort by the governors of the five states of the South East to build a new economic block.

Yes! The Igbo Can! (Igbo ekwelugo na ana Igbo ga adi mma)

It is indeed interesting to see the resurging consciousness among Ndigbo across the world that the time to look back home with fondness has eventually come. From Lagos to New York and London to South Africa, there is a growing awakening that Igboland is finally ripe for development. There seems to be a new ring of magic on this strong new sense of selfhood…something akin to a spiritual awakening. Whatever it is, this whole new fondness for the homeland is almost infectious.

Indeed, there is a growing belief that the Igbo can remake themselves and re-invent their homeland. As one of Africa’s most remarkable ethnic nations, Ndigbo have repeatedly proven their capacity to contribute to the global economy and civilization both as individuals and as a group of people threatened with extinction. As individuals, the Igbo seem to have fared better; dazzling their peers in commerce, the arts and sciences, the academia and in the professions. The landscape is strewn with pockets of Igbo ingenuity at home and in the Diaspora. And in spite of the setback from the war, Igboland has since shrugged off the image of smouldering rubble melting under the scorching sun of neglect from the government at the centre. Most Igbo towns no longer look like pictures out of National Geographic. In fact, in some places, one is pleasantly stunned by the level of development. During his recent visit to Anambra State, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo couldn’t believe what he saw in Onitsha and Nnewi. Yet his visit was restricted to Krioral Limited, the Pokobros Group, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited, the Chicason Group and Tummy Tummy. Vice President Osibanjo saw enough to elicit a gushy adulation for Igbo entrepreneurship. Yet, Igbo entrepreneurship is still on exile and has now real roots in Igboland. The only eyesore in the South East remains the federal roads linking the major cities. These apart, Igboland is not left behind in the quest for modernity and progress. As a group, there is still a huge residue of pride in the breath-taking scientific achievements during the war and a deep belief that those records could be bettered, given the right conditions. Innocent Chukwuma is already blazing an excellent trail with his automobile manufacturing company in Nnewi, the first in West Africa. Indeed, the Igbo have never doubted his capacity to re-make his world. What may still be in doubt is the readiness of his neighbours to accept that fact!

INNOSON GROUP NNEWI ANAMBRA STATE

INNOSON GROUP NNEWI ANAMBRA STATE

ST MARKS ANGLICAN CHURCH NNEWICHI NNEWI

(1) OSINBAJO, OBIANO VISIT INNOSON MOTORS, PROMISES ASSISTANCE, SUSTAINED PATRONAGE OF LOCAL MANUFACTURERS

By Kingsley Ezekwelu

The Anambra State Government in response to encourage and patronize made in Nigeria product, has purchased additional 5 Innoson Specially made vehicles for the State Command of the Nigerian Police Force.

Gov Obiano made this known when he led the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and a Federal Government special Delegation who were on a one day working visit to the State on an inspection tour of the Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company at Nnewi this afternoon.

The governor said he attracted the delegation to the state to enable them have firsthand information on the challenges that industries in the State face, with a view to eliciting the Federal Government's intervention in key areas especially Power, Foreign Exchange and access to capital.

The governor enthusiastically hopeful that fallouts from the tour would give audacity to the measures his administration is taken in attracting investors to the State.

The Vice President, Prof Osinbajo used the opportunity of the visit to disclose that the Federal Government has adopted a policy to encourage, patronize and bost locally manufactured vehicles and as a result, had recently approved at the Federal Executive Council, the purchase of pick-up trucks for the Federal Road Safety Corps.

More so, he said that this great investment by the Chief Executive Officer if the motor manufacturing company, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, in area of manufacturing and production, was a practical means of creating jobs and reducing unemployment in the country.

He therefore assured that the Federal Government will look into the challenges they face to see how it would assist the company.

While conducting the delegation round the facility, Dr Chukwuma thanked the Vice President and the Governor for the visit, and expressed hopes that their coming would yield positive dividends to the company.

The Vice President together with Gov Obiano and their entourage later visited other companies in the Nnewi Industrial area where they interacted with the management and other residents on way forward.

(2) ANAMBRA MANUFACTURERS, PRODUCTS ARE GIANTS, SAYS VP OSINBAJO

By Kingsley Ezekwelu

The Vice President, Prof, Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated the RIMCO Refineries and Fractionation Plant, a member of the Chicason Group at Nnewi, for the refining of Palm oleum.

During inauguration of the facility, Prof Osinbajo said he was amazed at the industrial activities going on in the State, and noted that Anambra was blessed to have a viable private sector whose contributions have been significant in the nation's general development.

He noted that with the renewed interest by the Federal government towards revamping local industries across the country, industrialists in Anambra would soon receive prominent attention in terms of access to capital at low or no interest rate.

He commended governor Obiano for his vision at securing a better deal for the business community in the State and said his visit has now afforded him the opportunity to see for himself what he would present to the Federal Government and would report back to the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike global ,Agunechemba) in his speech , emphasized his government intends to achieve through this special visit, is to create the awareness of what is going on in the State's Industrial Sector so that the Federal Government would come in to assist the industrialists in key areas that pose a great challenge to them.

(3) OBIANO HOSTS FA CUP CHAMPIONS, FC IFEANYI UBAH, DONATES N10m

*gov Obiano paraded around the Awka metropolitan city with the victorious team for 2hours

*assures them of more support

By Kingsley Ezekwelu

The sports-friendly Gov Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike global Agunechemba) has appreciated and rewarded the 2016 Federation cup champions, Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club (aka Anambra Warriors) with cash donation of the sum of ten million naira to encourage them for emerging as the winners of the 2016 Federation's cup in the country.

While addressing the team during the brief reception ceremony in Awka, yesterday, the Governor announced the cash reward. The Footbal Club contingent celebrated its feat with a victory parade across major cities of the state, and were also at the Governor's Lodge, Awka.

The Governor thanked the players, their handlers and the club management for showing the Anambra spirit by winning the coveted trophy and said by so doing, they have brought honour to the state.

Also He promised to triple the donation and give the players a choice plot of land in Awka, if they win the Continental Trophy which tournament, the victory had secured the ticket for them to participate in.

Governor Obiano assured that his government will sustain its efforts at supporting the private sector establish ventures across the various sectors of the economy that will create job and wealth opportunities for Ndi Anambra.

In her remarks , the Commissioner for Youths Entrepreneurship and Sports Development, Dr Uju Nworgu attributed the successes recorded in the state's Sports sector to the sincere commitment and provision of enabling environment by the youth friendly governor Obiano since he assumed office, it has been one trophy after the other.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Club, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah emphasized that the primary aim of the visit was to present the trophy to the Governor and thank him for his support that has enabled the club achieve the feat.

The governor later rode with the victory train through Ziks Avenue, Awka as they displayed the trophy.

NNEWI ANAMBRA STATE :Some things you probably don't know about Nnewi (the Japan of Africa)
1. 70% of auto parts manufacturing business in Nigeria are in Nnewi
2.Nigerians first car manufacturing plant is located at Nnewi
3.The first Nigerian made motorcycle was and is still being manufactured in Nnewi
4. There are hundreds of industries in Nnewi and 70% of them were built by the indegenious Nnewi people.
5. Technically, Nnewi is refereed to as the "Japan of Africa"
Nnewi has a private sector driven economy and this was achieved because the group of rich men in the town adopted the mentality that "charity begins at home". So they took the course to industralize their home and today, Nnewi is a home of multi-production industries like IBETO group, Kotec group of companies, Chicason, Coscharis, Innoson, Louis carter and many more to count.
It wasn't government that helped them, but their will to develop their town.
This is why I say that Igbo people should go back and adopt the mentality of industralizing the igbo land.
Today, Nnewi employs thousands of its indigens and others

NNEWI ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA @INNOSON MOTOR PLANT AND CHIKASON INDUSTRY.

Nnewi, Home of Ingenuity


That Nnewi in Anambra State is the home of ingenuity is not in doubt. The town is dominated by men and women of the can-do spirit and innovation. Hence their success in the world of business and entrepreneurship, reports David-Chyddy Eleke.nnewinnewi

Entering Nnewi, a bubbling industrial town in the southern zone of Anambra State, one would be greeted with what would at first seem a noisy town. Coming from Awka, Onitsha or even Orlu in Imo State, a visitor is faced with the sight of a sea of heads, all scrambling for space, and hurrying to God knows where. That is the restless spirit of the Nnewi man, which has stood him out as an ingenious personality in the field of business.

Besides carving a niche for themselves in the field of business, the Nnewi man has become very known for his innovative spirit, and referred to as the Japan of Africa. Entering the town, a visitor is greeted with the presence of more motorbikes than motorcars, and what is more fascinating is that everyone, children, men, women, rich and poor people alike ride on what is popularly referred to as ladies’ bike.

For the Nnewi people, the ladies’ bike is a must have, and a status symbol that defines who they are. In most towns in Nigeria, motorcycles have been banned as a result of the activities of criminal gangs, which have used them to perpetuate kidnapping and other vices. During the administration of Governor Peter Obi, he was once said to have contemplated banning the use of Okada in Anambra State, but when feelers reached business moguls in Nnewi most of whom are importers of motorcycles or even manufacturers, they quickly mobilised and held a meeting with the governor, and before long, the idea was shelved.

Obi’s successor, Governor Willie Obiano upon taking the mantle of leadership announced what seemed a technical ban on Okada operations, and even private motorcyclists on some major roads in major cities of the state, but in Nnewi, the law has remained almost inexistent as motorbikes remain the major means of transportation to all nooks and crannies of Nnewi, which are affordable to everyone.

Anambra is largely known to have men of means, and is said to have the largest concentration of millionaires in the country, and beyond, but Nnewi population accounts for over a quarter of the millionaires in Anambra State, making it the town with the highest concentration of rich people in Nigeria. What is more heart warming is that 99 per cent of these number of men of means are industrialists. Men who make money from thinking out of the box and putting their idea into action. The people are less known in the world of civil service or even as core government contractors.

During a recent visit to Nnewi, THISDAY sought to know the origin of the industrious nature of the Nnewi man. Even though they are big time manufacturers, such as Innocent Chukwuma who has carved a niche for himself as the first vehicle manufacturer in Nigeria to the likes of Ifeanyi Ubah who is today a big player in the oil and gas industry in the country. Other big names in Nnewi still abound, from Chika Okafor of Chicason Group to Ajulu Uzodike of Cutix, Cletus Ibeto of Ibeto Cement, Cosmas Madugba of Coscharis Motors, to mention etc.

There still abound young Nnewi upcoming industrialists whose works are either still being harnessed to world reckoning, or those who have given up their big dreams of their inventions rocking the world and resolved to make a daily living from their services to the public.
One of such is Mr. Kelechi Udechi, a metal fabricator. Udechi in an interview with THISDAY said he trained as a metal fabricator with the aid of the federal government assisted Industrial Training Fund (ITF). According to him, the training was supposed to include a grant to set up the trainees, which would help them to startup the business, but after waiting for the grant to no avail, he decided to attach himself with someone who already had workshop.

“Our business requires money for you to be able to try on what to invent. I don’t want to do the kind of metal works everyone is doing, where they bring you something and you weld it and you are paid, and that is the end. What I want to do, and what my passion in this job is, is to invent things, and you know that involves trial and error, until you are able to make it eventually. Right Now, I have conceived what I call a mobile shop, which will be fabricated with metal like the usual kiosks you see, but the difference in mine is that it will have tyres that will make it easy for anyone who buys it to move their businesses from one spot to another depending on where one feels there will be a business boom. In fact, it is targeted at those small business people who go from place to place to sell, depending on where there are events, and who do not want to display their wares under the sun like anyone else,” Udechi said.

There abound many more people like Udechi; from young girls who make a living from braiding female hair along the road to the motorcycle mechanic, tricycle mechanics and many others. The story of the Nnewi man, nay Igbos is one of no dull moment, and these have made them self sustaining, and not minding the economic condition of the country, the Nnewi man remains on top of his game.

Addressing Journalists in one of his outing, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas and proprietor of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, said the Nnewi man in him makes him restless, and he is always on the lookout for opportunities that can spring money, from his days as a young boy. Having made it big, he said, he is also working to ensure others made it too. “My community, Umuanuka has come to be the best in Nnewi. For over four years now, I have been supplying electricity free of charge to everyone who lives here, and in that way, small businesses have sprung up.

This community has turned out to be the most developed in Nnewi, but because of my effort. Go around and see the kind of roads I built around the community, all interlocking. It is the same type I have in my street in Lagos. Within a year, you will be surprised the number of businesses that have been set up around this community because they are sure of roads and electricity.”

During a recent visit to Nnewi, where he was shown around several companies within the industrial town, former Military President, Gen Absulsalami Abubakar marveled at the ingenuity of Nnewi people. The former Head of State who toured a number of factories in the city, including; Chicason Group, Ibeto Group, Capital Oil and Gas and Tummy Tummy Noddles and a number of others, said he was happy with what they were doing, while calling for support for them from the federal government.

Abubakar said that the industry exhibited by Nnewi businessmen is what is helping to sustain the economy of Nigeria. While in Nnewi for the inauguration of Nnewi Hotels and Events Centre built by Dr. Benjamin Aghazu, Abubakar also said that no nation can live solely on the importation of products consumed by its citizens, hence the relevance of local manufacturers. At Chicasson Group, Abuabakar was showed round the five factories that make up the group, while some of its products; engine oil, toiletries, and several others were also inspected.

Chief Chika Okafor, told the former president that Nnewi has the capacity to do even more if the condition under which they operate are right. Lack of foreign exchange, lack of electricity power are some of the teething problems limiting the full potential of Nnewi industrialists.

“Government should show support to us here in Nnewi. This is the only town that has grown to what it is today with 99 per cent contribution from indigenes, and almost nothing from government. We face several challenges everyday, but the most pressing ones are power and foreign exchange for the procurement of raw materials.

We run 175,000 litres of diesel every week here. We are managing to sustain the factory from what we make from other businesses. We have a mining arm, agriculture, real estate and we are also into oil and gas. Business is hard now, we can take the option of retrenching some of our workers, but if we retrench them, where will they go from here? They are now like family members to us, so we shoulder the burden.”

Most people are of the view that support from the federal government to Nnewi industrialists will help the town actualise its full potential. When THISDAY visited the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Chinedu Emeka, on plans being made to fully enhance the ingenuity in Nnewi, he was not on seat, but a source in the ministry said he has stumbled on a proposal which was to ensure the signing of a Public Private Partnership that will actualise the building of an Independent Power Plant (IPP) to serve the people of Nnewi

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EMERGEING LEATHER INDUSTRIES @ NNEWI:Bags industry in NKWO NNEWI.....Nnewi is a great city production and innovation. It is now expanding into all types of goods and services!!!

Every great feats begin small...... Igbos should maintain the tempo.... in a matter of time, we will get there. Indi'oma

Nnewi inspite of it's success in industrial and technological production, had suffered from ineffective govts in Nigeria both local and national that some industries colasped as a result of that Eg Cento Group Nnewi and many others.

#NnewiInspire

The pictures below are of one of the moribund companies in Nnewi. Well, it happened that some foresighted Nnewi businessmen realised that manufacturing as against importation of goods will be the next level. Those who thought towards this line went ahead to set up industries to manufacture goods they went to Japan, Taiwan and China to import. Little did they know that Babangida's government would stifle their vision, when his government started granting import waivers arbitrarily and did little or nothing to make policies that would favour local manufacturers. This was an automatic nail in the coffin of those new industries.

Now, fast forward to more than 25 years later, Nigeria has still not learnt the importance of encouraging local production. Little wonder the fall in oil prices is causing scarcity of dollars because the only product Nigeria has to sell in order to get dollars is oil. Being a country heavily dependent on importation, our importers need the dollars to import commodities which could have been made locally in Nigeria. Take a good look at the picture below, the company was supposed to be manufacturing batteries but today majority of the batteries in Nigeria are imported from Japan, Indonesia and China.

Last year I bought a car battery for 13 thousand Naira but I went back two weeks ago to buy the same battery and it's now 23 thousand Naira. Why? Because the batteries are imported, importers get dollars at a very exorbitant price, therefore, they have to increase the prices of their goods for them to recover their money. This is the simple arithmetic behind the present inflation in Nigeria.

I am not an economist so I will not say that I understand the logic behind devaluing our currency to solve the present economic hardship. However, my common sense tells me that if the present government and subsequent governments would start today to create enabling policies that will encourage local manufacturers, the chances of us being in this kind of mess in the future will be minimal. It's a shame that the prices of locally manufactured goods in Nigeria are presently on the high side because the manufacturers pay for diesel, resources and some other infrastructures that government would have borne.

I will appeal to the youths that it's high time we started to take advantage of our environment and think of products we can start off on our own, improve its quality and market it both locally and internationally leveraging on the power of the Internet instead of waiting for the government's intervention. If you reside in Aba why not think of Fashion. If you reside in Lagos why not think IT and entertainment, if you reside in Nnewi why not think of engineering etc.

Let's not make a mistake about it, exportation of our goods is the future. Don't wait for government start on your own. Perhaps the government might wake up when they see our resilience and tenacity.

OBIANO PURCHASES 5 VEHICLES AS OSINBAJO VISITS INNOSON COMPANY

The Anambra State Government in response to encourage and patronize made in Nigeria product, has purchased additional 5 Innoson Specially made vehicles for the State Command of the Nigerian Police Force.



Gov Obiano made this known when he led the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and a Federal Government special Delegation who were on a one day working visit to the State on an inspection tour of the Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company at Nnewi this afternoon.

The governor said he attracted the delegation to the state to enable them have firsthand information on the challenges that industries in the State face, with a view to eliciting the Federal Government's intervention in key areas especially Power, Foreign Exchange and access to capital.

The governor enthusiastically hopeful that fallouts from the tour would give audacity to the measures his administration is taken in attracting investors to the State.

The Vice President, Prof Osinbajo used the opportunity of the visit to disclose that the Federal Government has adopted a policy to encourage, patronize and bost locally manufactured vehicles and as a result, had recently approved at the Federal Executive Council, the purchase of pick-up trucks for the Federal Road Safety Corps.

More so, he said that this great investment by the Chief Executive Officer if the motor manufacturing company, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, in area of manufacturing and production, was a practical means of creating jobs and reducing unemployment in the country.

He therefore assured that the Federal Government will look into the challenges they face to see how it would assist the company.

While conducting the delegation round the facility, Dr Chukwuma thanked the Vice President and the Governor for the visit, and expressed hopes that their coming would yield positive dividends to the company.

The Vice President together with Gov Obiano and their entourage later visited other companies in the Nnewi Industrial area where they interacted with the management and other residents on way forward.

Nnewi Anambra State

From a mere village to a strong Industrial Economic Enclave : a lesson to learn from Nnewi.

"...we can learn from Nnewi on how to build Industrial cluster without waiting for the govt " ~me to my Audience.

By Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia.

It was on 30th May , 2016. The day Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah held interactive session with some cross section of the media especially sports presenters and social media players especially those that focused on Anambra affairs.

After the interactive session with My boss, at his country home Umuanuka- Otolo village, Nnewi where he held question and answer session with the press .

And due to other engagements, he ask me to take them to the ongoing game's village which is under construction.

He told me that I should take them round the project and make sure that I explain to them "what is what" within the $300million ongoing Game's Village project which he is building .

I ask myself , how can I be able to lecture this full talented young men and women on the project like Dr Patrick Ifeanyi usually does ?

I ask myself why today ? But , again I remember that my boss doesn't take excuses for failures .So I must not fail the man I'm representing .

We got there , I started the explanation with questions coming from the journalists and answers coming from me as we toured the place . Most of them were with their video cameras and other media gadgets .

I remember going off the topic to inform them that we can "learn from Nnewi Industrial Economic Transfer .

Yes , I told them that Nnewi was a mere village like any other village , but today , Nnewi Economy is worth over #500billion without Government policy intervention!
While we were there , I asked my audience,
"Which govt created Nnewi Industrial Economic Cluster ? " the truth is that no government did!

Nnewi people championed their economic repositioning and today, the village has been transformed into an Industrial Economic Post(IEP) that even an enemy can't avoid .

Nnewi people did not wait for Govt to initiate this process , they initiated it and no sensitive govt from Federal to State that can not discuss Nnewi Industrial Economy in their plans . Why ? People took responsibility!!

I told them that Nnewi Industrial Economic Cluster is the second job generator for Anambra State after Onitsha economic Cluster.

Imagine if Govt and other towns can under study Nnewi economic magic which was championed by the people of Nnewi and replicate the magic of Nnewi in other towns and villages?

Nnewi today is the most neglected Industrial Hub by successive Federal and State Governments in Nigeria , but the people keep on making pushing .

Nnewi Industrial Cluster is a school that Governments and Town Unions must go and understudy so that we can replicate Nnewi magic beyond Nnewi .

I will not stop without saying that listening to Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (PIU) speak on various sectors of our economy always leave me a better student . Thank you My Economic Teacher Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah!

Policy makers can learn from Nnewi Industrial Economic Decisions that transformed a mere village into an Industrial Economic Hub (IEH) without going to National or State Assembly for parliamentary intervention .

This also tells us that Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is right when he said and I quote :

"We can actually create a Regional Economic Integration without going to National assembly for parliamentary intervention ".

Nnewi Industrial Economic Cluster was never a product of any Parliamentary intervention or govt policy direction . A leason to learn!

We can learn from Nnewi !!!

#WeCanLearnFromNnewi - On Industrial Economic Development

Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia(c)2016
Abuja,Nigeria

Anyi ndi Omambala know ourselves, ndi Nnewi continue making us proud. Haters know what to do

Yyeske:
Anyi ndi Omambala know ourselves, ndi Nnewi continue making us proud. Haters know what to do

The Catholics Marks The Feast of "The Christ The King" @ Ozubulu

OZUBULU

St Cletus catholic church otolo nnewi built by Cletus Ibeto

Dr C M Ibeto CON commissions the rotary furnace for the largest lead recycling plant in Africa built by Union Autoparts Manufacturing Co Ltd Nnewi -a pioneer member company of The Ibeto Group.

Here is another small business success story

Cletus Ibeto of Ibeto Group
Cletus Ibeto started out as a spare parts import dealer, after spending some time as an apprentice in the motor parts business, a gradual step taken by many eastern traders. In March 1988, he stopped direct importation of lead acid automotive battery and plastic motor accessories after completing his factory in Nnewi. By 1995, The Ibeto Group had become one of the largest auto spare parts manufacturing outfits in the country.

On October 2, 1996, he established Ibeto Petrochemical Industries Ltd. which is engaged in the blending of oil lubricants as well as the production of various types of petroleum products for local and international markets. The Company owns the largest liquid storage facilities for petroleum products in Nigeria with a capacity of over 60,000 metric tones located at Apapa Wharf and Ibru Jetty Complex, Lagos.

His Excellency, The National Auditor of the largest progressive party in Africa (APC), Chief Dr. George N. Moghalu ( OHAMADIKE NNEWI) in the OFALA of Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi (today). Chief G.N Moghalu paying homage to his people's culture.

Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III (born 1925) is the 20th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Nigeria. He is a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Josiah Orizu II, his grandfather Igwe Orizu I, and great-grandfather Igwe Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya.
Unlike most Igbo monarchies, there were kings of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans. In Anambra State, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III was the vice chairman of the Anambra State House of Chiefs and as of 2015 till date the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria.

EDUCATION:
Igwe Kenneth was educated at Hope Waddell College, Calabar and completed his education at New Bethel College, Onitsha in 1942. Before his enthronement, Kenneth worked as a Representative of the then Eastern Nigerian Outlook Group of newspapers, in the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria and later moved to Asaba as the Commercial Manager for Mid-Western Region.. He was also a businessman in Kano.

REIGN:
Igwe Orizu II was instrumental in the clearing of the Agbo Edo forest. His Uncle, Prince Nwafor Orizu was Nigeria's first republic senate President and his grandfather, Igwe Orizu I (Eze Ugbonyamba) was the first Igbo man to own and drive a car in the entire Eastern Region. The Ofala Nnewi is a cultural festival held every year to celebrate the coronation of the Igwe of Nnewi.

Cultural Transformation
The King is the first of Nigerian Monarchs to abolish the Osu caste system, thus making everyone in the province of Nnewi free born. Kenneth also discouraged wastage of resources at traditional marriage and funeral ceremonies.

Social Advocacy
The King dealt with a political crisis in Nnewi by allowing the town in a general assembly to choose a title for him to restore peace in the town. Thereafter, the community named him the GENERAL OF PEACE. His other title is, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The King is a one Star Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Education Sector
The King was instrumental in the establishment of a Teachers Training College in Nnewi; now Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi. He also advocated the siting of the College of Health Sciences of the University by encouraging Nnewi people to make significant financial contributions. He personally donated most of the land for the establishment of the school.

Business
The King facilitated the establishment of New Nnewi market and this market gave Nnewi prominence as one of the largest commercial cities in Nigeria.

BY; Adina T Chijioke
Long Live His Royal Highness Igwe KON Orizu.
Long Live Igwe Nnewi.
Long Live Igwe na-eje uka.
Idi Anyi mma.

His Excellency, The National Auditor of the largest progressive party in Africa (APC), Chief Dr. George N. Moghalu ( OHAMADIKE NNEWI) in the OFALA of Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi (today). Chief G.N Moghalu paying homage to his people's culture.

OFALA IGWE NNEWI 2016

Photos: Oil magnate and CEO of Capital Oil and Gas, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah arrives the 2016 Ofala Festival of Igwe Nnewi, His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Orizu III.

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OFALA IGWE NNEWI ANAMBRA STATE

OFALA IGWE NNEWI ANAMBRA STATE