Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed the determination of the State Government to build the digital economy of the state.
Otti made this known on Wednesday during a meeting with the management of Tick Technology at the Government House, Umuahia.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, commended the organisation for its desire to partner with the government on enhancing digital economy in the state
He said that the partnership would contribute significantly to the efforts made by the government to build the “Made-In-Aba” brand and described it as a welcome development.
Otti also said that he was pleased with the fact that the organisation was founded by youths, that were determined to use their ingenuity and innovative ideas to transform the society.
He expressed delight over the fact that young people could decide to contribute to social development, especially in this era of “Japa Syndrome” and most youths getting involved drug abuse, crime among others.
Otti further said that the government had programmes and policies that were focused on driving its desire to boost the digital skills capacity of the people of Abia.
He added that the government’s commitment to building digital economy could be visibly seen in the creation of the Ministry of Digital Economy.
Otti said: “We are doing a whole lot to improve ease of doing business in Abia.
“The government is ready to partner with you and other interested investors that align with the vision of the present administration to make Aba an industrial and a commercial hub.
“Also as much as you are willing to partner with the makers of Made-In-Aba products, endeavor to emphasise quality and standardisation. This would make the Made-In-Aba products to compete favourably in the global market.”
In a remark, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu said that he was greatly impressed that the drivers of the initiative to enhance the Made-In-Aba brand were youths.
Ukaegbu said that there was need for all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to position Made-In-Aba products in the global market as high quality products.
He said that “the government is determined to improve the state’s rating for ease of doing business to attract investors” to the state.
Ukaegbu said that this was aimed at strengthening the efforts made by the government to make the state an investors’ haven and promoting the Made-In-Aba brand.
Earlier, a Co-founder of Tick Technologies Limited, Mr. Ikenna Joshua said that their organisation was focused on providing technological solutions to the challenges experienced in e-commerce in Nigeria.
He said that the organisation had created an e-commerce platform known as “Aba Made” that connects manufacturers in Aba and their prospective customers.
Joshua said that one of the things that his organisation evolved strategies for was to enable it change the narrative of identifying Made-In-Aba products as inferior.
“Our goal is to empower manufacturers with the technological support that is required to enhance the Made-In-Aba brand locally and globally,” he said.
