From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has urged the Igbo wherever they are to look homewards in terms of development, saying there seem to be a disconnect in this direction.
Ikpeazu stated this in his country home, Umuobikwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state during a leadership colloquium to mark his 58th birthday.
He said the call become imperative because the Igbo have been developing other places to the detriment of their communities.
Ikpeazu said the problem militating against the Igbo in their quest for development was that they don’t believe in themselves and in what they do.
“We need to realign our philosophy with what we have so that we can conquer the world economically. Igbo have the most hard working people in the world, and all we need to do is to look around us, and bring all we have together to excel,” he said.
The governor said it was to ensure a bright future for youths of the state and beyond that his administration conceptualised the Enyimba Economic City (EEC), which he said when completed, would provide jobs for over 600,000 persons.
“We must find a way to find vocation for our youths and EEC is the answer as it is going to provide over 600,000 jobs for our youths,” he said.
Ikpeazu who described Prof. Barth Nnaji, President of Geometric Power, Aba as a good example of an Igbo, sought a nexus between Geometric Power Plant and Enyimba Economic City.
Eminent scholars and technocrats, including Prof George Obiozor, Prof Barth Nnaji, Adolph Wabara, Dr. Sam Ohuabunwa, Ide John Udeagbala, President of NACCIMA and others, all eulogized Ikpeazu for his administrative acumen foresightedness.
Prof George Obiozor, President General, Ohaneze worldwide said the book about Ikpeazu, who he described as future Chief Priest of Ndigbo, was well researched by the author.
Represented by Alex Ogbonnaya, commended Ikpeazu for championing the made in Aba goods.
Darl Uzu, the promoter of the EEC, said work on the project which is being financed by Afri-Exim bank would commence early next year.
Thanking Ikpeazu for the project, Uzu said EEC is very dear to President Muhammad Buhari that he transferred Federal Government’s investment in the project through NSIA.
Prof Nnaji described the EEC as a game changer, in that when it becomes operational, people will no longer travel abroad for greener pastures.
He said Ikpeazu was passionate about the development of Igbo land, hence his interest both in the EEC and the Geometric Power Plant.
Udeagbala, NACCIMA president urged Ndigbo to reintroduce the apprentice system, modernize and get it certified as it remains the biggest edge Ndigbo have.
“Igbo people should be encouraged to invest in their land, as to turn our brain drain into brain gain”, he said.
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa urged governors of the South East to make Igbo land attractive to investors.
Thanking Ikpeazu for coming up with EEC, Ohuabunwa said when it comes to fruition, Abia youths scattered all over the world will come home.
Former Senate president, Adolph Wabara congratulated Ikpeazu on his 58th birthday and said he hoped the governor will one day be president of Nigeria since age was still on his side.