Turkey Summit: Ifeanyi Ubah unveils Anambra Progressives 20-year dev’t roadmap

Protocols.

Good day distinguished guests, may I take this opportunity to welcome you all, and to extend a further word of welcome to those of us who just arrived Istanbul, Turkey today.

The Discussion and unveiling of the Anambra Progressives 20 years Developmental Roadmap is certainly a moment that we should all look forward to and savor. If you take a quick look around you, I’m sure you all will agree with me that it is fitting that this event is taking place here in Istanbul, Turkey during the Anambra Progressives International Summit which has brought us all together from different parts of Nigeria and the Diaspora at large to collectively discuss and brainstorm on how we can make our dear State; Anambra a Prime investment destination and economic hub.

With a rich endowment of natural resources, large trade/commercial activities and leading entrepreneurial giants, Anambra State is poised to become an economic model for the rest of the country and Africa at large. Anambra State’s economy is built on a foundation of commerce, entrepreneurial ability and innovation. Therefore, opportunities to leverage the commercial and enterprising capacity of our people to become the Industrial capital of West Africa are increasingly available.

The vision is for Anambra to be a leading investment destination state with abundant economic opportunities, social inclusion, peace and security, and improved quality of life of the citizenry.

The Anambra Progressives 20 Years Development Roadmap is therefore a reflection of the quest of the Anambra Progressives Forum to reposition our dear state for greater heights as the Light of the Nation, with a strategic framework to realise a shared vision of Economic prosperity.

This plan will serve as a blueprint of strategies and actions that are planned to achieve the development aspirations of the state which will be driven by a strong collective will, stakeholders’ participation, and strategic implementation mechanisms.

As we all know, our people have greatly excelled in the variegated fields of politics, commerce and industry, academia, economic development, sports and religion – just to mention a few.

This is the State of men and women like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Chinua Achebe, Chuba Okadigbo, Chimamanda Adichie, Augustine Ilodibe, Cletus Ibeto, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and countless others. Anambra state has to be lead and directed with distinction to reflect the great heights and sublimities attained by such men and women.

Conclusively, this development plan is intended to serve as a pathway for the state to be on an accelerated development trajectory. The process for the preparation of this economic roadmap will be participatory with Private investors, community stakeholders and individuals.

It is a mechanism of the Anambra Progressives Forum to support the state economy and provide essential services so as to achieve the desired development goals of the state.

Distinguished guests, this audience above all, understands the value of effort, team-work and partnership. It is through partnership, not only with governing bodies but with foreign investment agencies and the private sector that we can maximize the vast potentials of Anambra State.

As we discuss the Anambra Progressives 20 years Developmental Roadmap, I look forward to exploring, rubbing minds and discussing innovative ideas/ approaches on how we can make Anambra State a global economic melting pot where we can gladly return to without fear or panic.

I believe that there is no better time than now. The time is ripe, the hour has struck. Now is the time to take action, to build and most importantly it is a time to progress and consolidate on this vision of creating the Anambra of our dreams.

Thank you for your time and esteemed presence. With clear goals and spirited efforts, we can achieve together a great deal in improving the economy of our dear State Anambra.

It is my hope that this event will serve as a catalyst for new and exciting partnerships. Let us together, tap into the human and commercial potentials of our State as a driver of socioeconomic change.

Thank you all!

Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ubah
Anambra South Senatorial District
(Chief Convener, Anambra Progressives Forum)