Tinubu urges Nigerians to embrace vision of lasting transformation, political will for national development

By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment towards meeting need and aspirations of all segments of the country through his reforms and asked all to bear with him despite the obvious hurts.

He said that he path to economic prosperity at the sub national level begins with solid commitment to security, transformation, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, industrialization and empowering our people.”

President Tinubu stated this on Thursday in his speech to declare open the year 2024 Second Anambra State Investment Summit held at the International Conference Center (ICC) Awka the State capital.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Vitalis Emeka Obi, President Tinubu said he was “encouraged by Anambra’s dedication to these pillars through its roadmap to economic development.”

The theme of the summit is; “Changing Gears: Accelerating Anambra’ s Economic Transformation’ and in attendance were key investors drawn the banking sectors, captains of industry, oil and gas sector, mines and agriculture, tourism, businesses and other core areas of the economy.

“As President I remain steadfast to my electoral promise; our vision is to create a prosperous and secure inclusive Nigeria. We are implementing unform reforms to strengthen our economy but we recognize that big challenges can lead to short term discomfort. Many citizens face discomfort due to temporary outcome of these reforms. I empathize deeply with those hurting at this time,” he said.

The President commended Governor Charles Soludo for “conceptualizing and developing several ground braking projects in Anambra State hat will promote the state as an investment destination, especially in the areas of Inter rail system, the new Awka and Onitsha cities, the Solution Innovation District, Anambra Silicon Valley,” and several other laudable projects.

He said as former Governor of Lagos State he “envisioned significant infrastructure projects such as the Lagos Light rail, the Eko Atlantic City, Lekky Deep Seaport which many critics dismissed as mere political rhetoric yet today the three governors who came after me ensure that those projects are operational,” serving as a testament to what is possible in the vision, determination and political will.”

He urged people of Anambra State to rally round Soludo and his transformational plans, adding that as politicians prepare for next elections, let us remember that the real statement is plan for the generations unborn.

Tinubu maintained that his government supports the initiative of the summit and would excite action with approval for incentives of specialized economic grown license for Anambra Industrial City and provide the necessary pioneer status incentives where applicable.”

According to him, “Anambra State standard out as a shining example of what is achievable when vision, strategy and political action align to attain development and progress, stressing that it has a rich history as a commercial hub and as center of technology and innovation in Nigeria.”

“Through this investment summit the state has demonstrated commitment to becoming a driving force in Nigeria’s economic transformation. I commend Soludo and entire Anambra people for making he state a beacon of transformation, a center of innovation and for sustainable development.”

The Zimbabwe High Commissioner, Amb. Isaac Kwarasina said the summit is a classic example of how Africans can channel their ideals and ideas for shared property.

While commending Soludo for his leadership and great achievements at accelerating the state’s economic transformation, he said the summit offers great opportunity to partner with the state on the way forward.

Kwarasina disclosed that the African Continental Traders Union has presented boh countries with the removal of trade barriers to enhance easy movement of goods and services.

He added that collective efforts by African entrepreneurs, investors, governments and agencies under the African Trade And Services agreement framework has positioned Africans continent for global attention.

The Minister of Regional Development, Abubabakar Momoh harped on the need to acknowledge the rich culture of Anambra State in terms of economic, resilience and robust antecedents of people as well as the strategic locations of the state and the entrepreneurial drive of the people.

He noted that these attributes have positioned the state for an unparallel economic growth and development among the comity of states in the country.

Momoh pointed out that Namabra which is part of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) which is under the purview of the Ministry of Regional Development and therefore it’s an opportunity for me to also know those that I will be talking with in a very short time.

He called for synergy between the ministry and the state government towards transforming the state in terms of mega projects, adding that dirty of the ministry is aimed at streamlining regional development efforts, promoting economic growth and coordination across Nigerian diverse.
regions.

According to him, the realization of the regional development mandate Is conceived upon the collective efforts of key stakeholders and policy drivers across various regions. To actualize Government vision, successive collaboration is imperative, allowing regional agenda is vital to sponsoring economic growth, transformation enhances quality of lives for Nigerians.”

On their part, popular billionaire and business magnate, Chief Emeka Offor and MD/CEO of Coscharis Ventures Ltd, urged Governor Soludo to create an enabling environment for guaranteed peace and stability such that investors can throng the state which they said has the capacity for economic and business prosperity.

They pledged to invest over N54 billion in the oil and gas sector as well as other businesses even as they called on Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo in general to come home and invest their businesses for growth and development of the area.

Governor Soludo in his address said the summit has ushered a remarkable celebration of strategic partnership for Anambra transformation going by the various speech presentations, assuming that the state is very much ready for investment in security and other key areas to enable businesses, industrialization and development to thrive.

He said the administration within the period on the saddle had embarked on massive transformation agenda through its smart City development of new towns, technology innovations, health and education and other major infrastructural developments aimed at growth and development of the state.

Soludo said investors are needed in the New Awka and Onitsha cities, adding that his government is derisking the various challenge areas with a view to giving the state and perspective investors a new lease of life and business growth with over 4, 000 hectares of land and seamless C of O available for interested investors.

“We come with value propositions and we are ready for partnership. Let all hands in gloves and move. Land is a platinum gold mine in Anambra; while Lagos State is expanding to the ocean, Anambra’ is shrinking due to scarcity of land. Therefore, show us the money and commitment and we will show seriousness. Other than land speculators, those who want to invest will get C of O, that is for those who are ready for development.”

“We are developing our airport to be fit and to enable operators in the night. We are calling Ndi Anambra, Nigerians and worldwide to come to Anambra’; Anambra’ is the place to be. We are rising again wit a new market not just for West Africa but for Africa. We want to turn Anambra’ state from a departure lounge to a destination center,”he added.

The governor thanked President Tinubu, and other guests for making the event fruitful.

The high point of the summit was the signing of agreements and tour of designated project sites.

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