It is no longer news that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has remained the chief marketing officer of the new Abia and Aba brand.

Understanding clearly the areas he was going as an incoming Governor in 2014/2015 election campaigns, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, a proud 'Aba boy'(nwa Aba), among other things encapsulated for himself what to do in Abia if elected, vowed to promote the Made in Aba products, which hitherto was not known as a good brand, as people made jest of it and called it "Aba Made"(in a mockery tone). As a determined chief executive of the State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has today changed the narrative of the 'Made in Aba' and has continuously sustained it.



The latest being, taking the campaign to Gambia. At present, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is the Guest Award Lecturer at the 15th Africa Security Watch Awards, holding at Labranda Coral Beach Resort & Spa, Banjul, Gambia. He went to Gambia to lecture on the topic: TACKLING NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES THROUGH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, THE MADE-IN-ABA EXAMPLE.

The erudite scholar and politician is using the opportunity of speaking on 'Tackling National Security Challenges Through Economic Empowerment, the Made-in-Aba Example' to reach out to the world on the potentials inherent in Aba and how his government is tackling the economic challenges of the time through promoting the Made in Aba brand.



Using the Aba youth as a metaphor, Ikpeazu's campaign is essentially aimed at exposing the creativity and ingenuity of the average Nigerian youth. It would bring to the fore, the enormous opportunities and abundant semi-skilled manpower comparable to the best in the world. The Governor is using the opportunity to send a clear message that in Aba and indeed Nigeria, the people can be properly encouraged and meaningfully engaged to play more than a passive or negative role in the development of any society. He desires to show that it is possible to create a pool system to absorb and engage the young people productively. Of course, these and more are the underlying principles for the 'Made-in-Aba campaign'



The programme involves The Governors of Anambra and Enugu states, Chief Willie Obiano and Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who are among the awardees respectively. These Governors and other high ranking members of the society formed the audience that will hear the good news of 'Made in Aba' brand championed by Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D, a scholar in governance.



Indeed Abians can not neglect this Governor who at all times and seasons remains resolute in marketing Abia state and its potentials beyond the shores of Nigeria. Therefore, the growing need to sustain the genuine effort of taking Abia beyond her dreams through Governor Ikpeazu is a task before all and sundry. As campaigns for elections are gradually drawing near, the people are urged to appraise what the Governor has done and pay him back by voting him again. With this, marketing of Abia will have been sustained beyond 2019 and the gains therein will be for the whole people and residents of Abia State.

Ubani Newman Ubani(UNU),
Senior Special Assistant,
(New Media)

16/11/2018