TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION PROGRAMME: Gov. Otti Lauds Tinubu, Ikoh
*The spell of not bringing to Ikwuano dividends of democracy as Nat’l. rep is broken… Mayor Nwaka
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR has applauded the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the immediate past Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Chief Henry Ikoh, for considering Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, a fertile ground to site the 10 Administrative Block and Incubation Units of the National Board of Technology.
The Governor stated this yesterday, January 3, during the Foundation Laying Ceremony For the Development of Administrative Block and Incubation Units, at Ahuwa Oboro, in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, the country home of the former Minister.
The project which was attracted by an illustrious son of Ikwuano Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh was designed to benefit humanity and create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths, as well as empower the women.
Speaking through the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Council, Mayor Osinachi Nwaka, the Governor commended the former Minister for his relentless efforts towards attracting wealth to his immediate community and the State in general.
He described the epoch making foundation laying ceremony as a positive progress which would in no doubt, give the State a remarkable facelift, “especially to my people.
“I am the Mayor of this Council and it has always been on my mind, in line with my boss, His Excellency , Dr. Alex Otti to empower our people and create opportunities that can make our youth gainfully engaged. I listened with keen interest when the Director-general, Dr. Mrs. Patricia Uchenna Chukwu highlighted what impacts this project will have on my people, which correspond with my interest in wealth creation and employment for the youths.
“On that basis, I must state that you share same mindset with His excellency Dr. Alex Otti. We are sincerely thankful to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Meanwhile, he pledged that the Council and the State would not hesitate to assist the federal government in actualising her dreams in the Local Government.
“I want to thank all the participants who have made this programme a success in ala Ikwuano.
According to Mayor Nwaka who described Ikoh as an example of Akuruo-Ulo”, the hex of not bringing back to the people, dividends of democracy by representatives and the Federal level had been broken by the erstwhile Minister.
“Chief Ikoh is an example of Akuruo-Ulo
The era of representing your people at the Federal level with nothing to show for it has ended. The jinx has been broken by the former Minister. And sir, I sincerely appreciate you”.
Speaking further, the Mayor, amidst euphoria, thanked the federal government for remembering the people of the Council, whom he regretted had been long subjugated and marginalised.
“I’m most delighted that the long forgotten ala Ikwuano has started receiving federal impacts”, he noted, pointing out that the dilapidated condition of the area does not only pose a challenge to the Governor but also the President.
He, therefore , assured that, in accordance with the promises of the Governor, the Council and indeed State, would, in a fraction of one year, begin to feel the impacts of dividends of democracy.
“On his own part, he is fully with us, even though he is not physically present to say that he is giving his full support to those dreams or to make sure that it is a reality, thank you very much and God bless you.”
Earlier in her speech, Dr. Mrs. Uchenna Chukwu, the Director general of National Board for Technology Incubation explained that Technology Incubation Programme (TIP) were solely aimed at supporting the development of indigenous talents and the industries .
She stressed that TIP “is specifically designed as an institutional support mechanism with the goal of constructing the necessary infrastructure.
“It endeavours to create an enabling environment in Fostering effective connections and more technology providers,policy makers and entrepreneurs.
According to the DG, Technology Incubation Programme functions as a pivotal mechanism for commercialisation of research and development outcome, contributing to the industrial development of the country.
In her words: “I will like to respectfully highlight that since the inception of the technology incubation program in 1993 and subsequently establishment of National board for technology incubation in 2005,the board have achieved significant Milestone in the following areas; Generation of employment opportunities for numerous individuals in the society; Creation of wealth for investors and substantial revenue generation for the government.
“It is noteworthy that the NBTI through its 6 zonal offices located in Lagos,kano,nnewi, Bauchi and Benin, 36 centres spread across all the states of the federation and 11 extensions ,and marketed thousands of products both domestically and internationally.”
Responding, the Ex-Minister, in his fulfilled state, boasted that his community would in a fraction of time, be the hub of productivity.
While thanking Mr. President for considering Ikwuano worth-the-while for such a magnificent project, he assured that “this is just the beginning of a new dawn in Ikwuano”, saying that more developmental projects would be sited in the Council.
Addressing newsmen, the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen. Austin Akobundu commended the ex Minister for attracting such a monumental project to the Council.
Col. Akobundu pledged to work assiduously and collaboratively with his counterpart at the green chamber, Rt. Hon. Obinna Aguocha, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency to “attract projects and facilities of this nature through the relevant agencies”.
Akobundu, in his remarks urged the Mayor of Ikwuano and all those in corridors of power to eschew partisanship and work for the development of the Council and the zone in general.
Hear him:
“Let’s forget about parties and work for our people.
“The key thing is to drive our legislative activities that will bring development at the grassroot level to our people.”
Also, Rt. Obi Aguocha lauded the former Minister for his efforts in bringing development to the area overtime, as he urged other representatives to emulate the gestures, while also imploring the beneficiaries of the empowerment programmes to endeavour to always pray for him.
Aguocha, described the Ikwuano State Constituency member in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Boniface Isienyi as “that stone that was rejected but now has become the Chief cornerstone of Ikwuano community, restating his unreserved love for the Council.
He outlined that the Council needed a sustainable economic development that would enable it to measure up to her Umuahia counterpart, as he expressed profound gratitude to Ozurumba 1 for siting the gigantic project in the area.
“Ikwuano is a place very dear to me. It is a community that is very dear to me.
Ikwuano needs to push up with the rest of Umuahia and the rest of Abia and the only way we’ll do it is to have sustainable economic development in Ikwuano. So, I’m most delighted that you chose Ikwuano for this project.
“In the next 2 years, most of you will not recognise Ikwuano. The reason being that you have a distinguished senator from Ikwuano.
Together we will help to elevate the level of development in Ikwuano”, he assured.
In his vote of thanks, Hon. Isienyi who thanked every participant at the event, prayed for the grace of God upon the ministry to expedite the actualisation of the project.
“So that as we have just come for the foundation laying, in no distance time, we will also come for the commissioning.
“Ikwuano is highly blessed in this political dispensation and we’ll keep being blessed.”
Attendance at the event, among other dignitaries, were the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Chief Charles Ugboaja, the National Coordinator of New Era Foundation NEF, Pst. Mike Nwaka, etc.
