By Onwukwe Ezeru
Special Correspondent, Abia
Abia State government wants to partner with the Indonesian government to grow its economy, according to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who made the disclosure when he received the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto, at Government House, Umuahia.
He said there are many areas Abia and Indonesia can collaborate, including the leather industry.
In his view, Aba shoe makers can produce shoes that can compete favourably with those made elsewhere but there is need to collaborate with those with advanced technology like Indonesia to automate the business.
He thanked Purwanto for his interest in Abia State and commended Indonesia for the development it has achieved.
Ikpeazu solicited urgent federal assistance, especially in power supply, to develop the state’s economy.
Purwanto said Indonesia and Nigeria share a lot in common, including natural endowment, and stressed that this is the time to harness the potentials for development.
He thanked Ikpeazu for encouraging small and medium scale industry to thrive and disclosed that he came to Abia to see how Indonesia can contribute to its economy.
Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu is in another form of collaboration with major stakeholders, including the state government, host community, and security agencies, to check cult activities.
Two members of “Mafia” cult, Samuel Ethelbert and Ebuka Nwigbo, were killed in a reprisal allegedly by “Burkina Faso” cult whose leader, Collins Agwu, had allegedly been shot death by the Mafia.
The students were beheaded at a private hostel, called Chi-Doo Lodge, located near a forest on Afikpo-Uturu Road, about four kilometres from ABSU.
The killing coincided with Agwu’s burial in his home town, Arochukwu.
Police spokesman, Ezekiel Onyeke, confirmed that Commissioner of Police, Joshak Habila, has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators.
ABSU Vice Chancellor, Uchenna Ikonne, disclosed the new security arrangement, saying, “the incident, which occurred in that remotely located private lodge outside the university campus by alleged cultists is very despicable, unacceptable and very strongly condemned.”
Part of the measures to check a recurrence is the government’s directive to owners of private hostels to conduct comprehensive profiling of all tenants.
Ikonne said ABSU students are “peace-loving, disciplined and academically oriented” and condemned “the activities of foreign elements, who try to dent the good image and enviable reputation of the university.”
He conveyed the condolences of ABSU to the families of the deceased and urged parents and guardians “to encourage their children and wards to avail themselves of the accommodation inside the campus which has security and amenities.”
Ikonne expressed concern that most students prefer to live in private hostels outside the campus, which costs between N120,000 and N160,000 annually, “without water and light.”
Ogbonna Uwadiegwu, the traditional ruler of Umuanyi, the host community of ABSU, said vigilance has been reinforced to ensure effective security of lives and property.
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abia Council Chairman, John Emejor, condoled with the families of the deceased.
He described Uturu as “a veritable land for academic activities, where people come basically to learn” and expressed concern that the murder tended to smear the image of the university.
He appealed to the state government to beef up security in the university and its environs to curtail criminal activities.
In another development, the state has emphasised that greater attention be given to agriculture to ensure food security.
The decision was taken at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting between Ikpeazu, commissioners and security personnel.
Information and Strategy Commissioner, Bonnie Iwuoha, said the SEC directed the Ministry of Agriculture to submit a detailed programme for agricultural growth.
The government plans to empower the youth and genuine farmers, and to actualise this, Iwuoha disclosed that a N1 billion loan is being sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“All forms of touting by revenue collectors and task force on illegal parking of vehicles and others are banned. The state government has zero tolerance for touting and will prosecute anybody found on any illegal business in the state,” he said.
Iwuoha added that Abia will collaborate with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to renovate primary and secondary schools in the state, assuring that funds from UBEC will be channelled to this project alone.
He said Golden Guinea Breweries and International Glass Industry will start work soon, adding that Industry Commissioner, Henry Iko, will find out the level of work done in the industries.