Governor Alex Otti in a group photograph with members of Aka Ikenga led by Agbalanze Dr. Chike Madueke, when a delegation of the group paid the Governor a working visit
Aka Ikenga seeks partnership, promises to mobilize members to invest in Abia,
…Says Otti, Offering Transformative Leadership
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Aka Ikenga, a think-thank group of Igbo intelligentsia and professionals, has assured Governor Alex Otti of Abia State of the group’s readiness to mobilize their members worldwide to invest in the state.
President of Aka Ikenga, Agbalanze Dr. Chike Madueke, who led members of the group on a working visit to Governor Otti at his Umuehim Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government, said the group took the decision because of Dr. Ottis transformative leadership in Abia.
The Aka Ikenga leader explained that the group was particularly focused on the development of the South East through provision of infrastructure, addressing security challenges, and promoting regional integration.
Dr. Madueke emphasized that Aka Ikenga’s core principles of “Aku Ruo Ulo” and “Ako n’ Uche,” was to encourage Ndigbo in the Diaspora to prioritize home investments and adopt a more strategic approach in political matters.
Presenting their seal of commendation to Governor Otti, Dr. Madueke said: “On behalf of Aka Ikenga, I present to you this Aka Ikenga Seal of Commendation. We commend you for the good work you are doing in Abia State and in the region and to say to you that we see what you are doing and we are in support of what you are doing. And, we want to partner with you for the progress of Abia State and Igbo land.”
Governor Otti thanked the group for their gesture, telling them that Abia was open for business and partnership with non-Abians, as no society or kingdom was developed by the indigenes alone.
“We are all one and the same people. I tell people that once you leave here in Abia, we don’t know whether you are from Anambra, Enugu or any other State. Once you stay here, you are from here. And, we have demonstrated that by giving appointments to people who are not from here and we work with them,” the Governor revealed to his guests.
“I have clearly said that no town or kingdom was developed that was developed by indigenes. Somebody should show me one. Not the US, anywhere in US, not the UK. If you don’t open yourself up for fresh and new ideas, including capital, your growth will be stunted. We are very, very open; we don’t care where you come from,” he declared.
The Governor informed the Aka Ikenga team that he has been able to rid the state of criminals and criminalities, has been build infrastructure and made the state conducive for business, highlighting the development of a technology hub as a priority.
In his vote of thanks, a member of the group, Prince Anthony Nwakaeze, President of the Association of Computer Village Technology Merchants of Nigeria (ACVITEMN), thanked Governor Otti for making their visit seamless, recounting the difficult protocols they encounter in some places they have visited.
“We are promising you, like we said before, Ndigbo are not looking for who will give us money. What we are looking for is who will provide leadership and we will bring our money to fix Igbo land. We promise you that Aka Ikenga will mobilize their members across the world to come to Abia and invest,” Nwakaeze promised.
Other members of Aka Ikenga in attendance were Chief Uche Amajor, Vice President – Abia State; Engr. Joe Okolo, Vice President – Enugu State and Chief Collins Ugwu, Director of Publicity.
