Soludo, Utomi, Ozigbo, Others Brainstorm on Good Governance in Anambra

By Julie Sylvia Onitsha

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the recently concluded Anambra election, Chief Val Ozigbo, founder/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Centre for Value in leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi, President, Southeast Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Humphrey Ngonadi, among others, Wednesday in Onitsha, brainstormed on good Governance’ in Anambra State.

Speaking at the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ONICCIMA, 13th Edition of the Perspective, an annual lecture series of ONICCIMA, held at C.J. Patterson auditorium, All Saints Cathedral Church, Onitsha, Governor Soludo, said that he would partner with the Private sector and ONICCIMA, for rapid economic development of the State.

The Governor who was represented by his Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Hon. Obinna Ngonadi, reiterated the resolve of the government to also modernise the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme,( Igba Boi) with a view to making the apprentice traders to be exporters and not only importers.

“Government is interested in Igba Boi Scheme, we want to have business people from Onitsha . We will have industrial policy.Government is very interested in doing business with the Organised Private sector, we want to be exporters.

Speaking, Chief Val Ozigbo, lamented that government lacks when it comes to leadership adding, “sometimes we need the government to get out of the way so that private sector can thrive.

“I came from a private sector, the essence of this program is to find solutions to the economic problem confronting development. We need to reclaim our country.

Ozigbo, who was the Chairman on the ocassion, urged people to be patient with Governor Soludo adding that he would better the state than he met it.

Also in his speech, the President, Southeast Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Humphrey Ngonadi, stated that, “governors of Southeast do not appreciate or recognise the existence of private sector.

“The Government can’t do without the presence of Organised Private Sector. As much as I know, the government policies can’t be made without carrying the Chambers along.

“In any policy you have to touch the people and know the feelings of the people. But in Southeast it has not been so.”

Prof Pat Utomi, spoke through online on the need to partner with government for rapid infrastructural development and for government to recognize the importance of private sector.

Earlier in his speech, the President of the ONICCIMA, Chief Sir. Keven Obieri, said that the topic for the occasion, themed, ‘In search of good Governance’,’ Imperaties of an Organised Private Sector interface’.comes at an auspicious moment as Anambra State recently transitioned to a new administration under Governor Soludo.

“The event offers all stakeholders the opportunity to hold conversations and address issues affecting the Organised Private Sector and general societal well being with a view to providing workable solutions that are implementabl, sustainable, and in the long run, offer win, win options for government Organized Private Sector and general populace”.