The stage is set for what I will term "a reward for visionary leadership".

History is about to be made as Abia, under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's leadership is set to be decorated and officially recognized as the best Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSME) friendly State.



Today we are witnessing the first ever National MSME Award in Nigeria since the creation of Adam and Eve. The reason for this prestigious award and recognition is not farfetched as the unprecedented giant strides of the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D cannot be swept under the carpet.

Contained in his campaign manifesto, Governor Ikpeazu's vision for Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSME) was soundly and clearly stated: " To provide capacity building training and resources to the SME's across the State to facilitate their growth and development."



Apart from maintaining his position as the Chief Promoter of MSME in Abia, the Governor has achieved the following feats:

1. Sponsoring of 30 Abia Youths to China to learn automated shoe production,

2. Acquired modern automated shoemaking equipment for mass production.

3. Assisted Aba producers to get orders worth more than N2b in direct sales, including 50, 000 military booths, uniforms, 25,000 shoes for IDP camps, ballot boxes and others for LGA polls etc.

4. Aggressive promotion of Made in Aba brands, locally and internationally, with fashion shows held in Abuja and New York City in USA respectively.



5. Occasioned by Governor Ikpeazu’s promotional activities, the Aba shoemakers now export more than one million pairs of shoes weekly to neighboring countries. Unlike in the past, the products are proudly branded as “Made in Aba” or “Proudly Aba Made”.

6. His efforts at promoting Made in Aba brands received support from NGOs like Ford Foundation who funded and launched international marketing campaigns for Made in Aba brands at zero cost to the State via CNN and other international media platforms.

7. It was in recognition of the administration’s focused effort at promoting Made in Aba (Made In Nigeria) that the federal government signed the number 3 far-reaching executive orders to ease business, fast track budget submissions & promote made in nigeria products

8. Ongoing initial works for the emergence of Umukalika leather and garment cluster

9. Currently under construction is new ultra modern mechanic village at Ogbor Hill, and expected to be completed early 2019. In addition, Ikpeazu’s administration is partnering with private sector operators to construct the biggest mall in the south east for Made in Aba Products at Etche road Aba.



10. The government, in partnership with the federal government, also launched Government enterprise empowerment program (GEEP) that provides up to N100,000 to selected Abians who are grouped in cooperative societies. So far the program has funded more than 18,000 Abians. The state is set to increase the cash amount to N100,000 per participant.

11. Organizing MSME Clinic in partnership with the federal government where about 3000 SME operators exchanged discussion with major stakeholders in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

12. In support of our young entrepreneurs, Governor Ikpeazu supported the South East Entrepreneurship Development Centre with headquarters in Umuahia, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) program, with N100m take off grant.

13. The administration has commenced the processes necessary for the establishment of Enyimba industrial city with 9300 hectares of land set aside to host the most ambitious industrialization program ever executed in the South East region of Nigeria. A project, which has already attracted interest of investors from China, Singapore, South Korea and Nicaragua.



Ably represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, the Governor is set to, on behalf of Abians, received the prestigious and first ever award of recognition on Abia State as the Best MSME friendly State of the nation.

UNU, reporting live from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

#AbiaOnline

Good one Guv.
Keep it up Your Excellency.

failures

Nothing is too small!