Otti working to turn Abia into global manufacturing brand — Aide

The Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, has said Governor Alex Otti is deliberate about transforming Abia from a production hub into a globally respected manufacturing brand.

Ajagba stated this on Tuesday during the flag-off ceremony of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity Programme Quality Assurance Assessors Training Programme held at the main auditorium of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

He said, “The training of Quality Assurance Assessors represents a bold step in the state’s efforts to reposition Abia, particularly Aba, as a hub of excellence in fashion, garment, and leather production in Nigeria and across Africa.”

The Chief of Staff added that “the state government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for enterprise growth through infrastructure development, policy support, access to finance, and quality standardisation.”

Ajagba commended the partners and facilitators of the project, including Ethnocentrique Limited and the Mastercard Foundation, for their collaboration and technical expertise.

He urged the trainees to “demonstrate commitment, discipline, and integrity in applying the knowledge acquired”, while also encouraging MSME operators to embrace the initi ative.

In his remarks, the MCIPP Team Lead, Adedapo Conde, described the Quality Assurance Assessors programme as a critical component of the MCIPP, aimed at strengthening the skills ecosystem and supporting the transformation of Aba into a globally recognised skills delivery and export hub.

He added that “the programme would provide an opportunity for the MCIPP team to engage directly with participants and offer deeper insights into the initiative and other strategic interventions of the state government targeted at enhancing the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs.”

Conde also lauded Otti’s leadership and support, noting that Ethnocentrique Limited remains committed to partnering with the state government to realise its vision of positioning Aba as a globally recognised skills delivery and export hub.

The event was attended by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry and SMEs, Chinwe Kalu Uba; the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Dr Christopher Okoro; and other dignitaries.

Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of Corporate Affairs Commission and SMEDAN certificates to business owners.