Abia Gov Appoints Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi, 17 Other as State Economic Team
The Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti, has appointed Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Arunma Oteh as members of the state economic Team, tagged “Abia Global Advisory Council”.
Other members of the team include former Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) President, Chidi Ajegbu; Mr. Bolaji Balogun, Mr. Victor Onyenkpa, former FIRS boss, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru; Mr. Uche Orji, Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli and Mr. Chika Nwobi.
Also appointed are Dr. Olugbenga Adesida, Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Mazi Clement Owunna, Dr. Uzodinma Iweala, Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor, Mr. George Agu, Mazi Uzo Nwankwo, Mr Chinedu Azodoh and Dr. Benedict Oramah.
Announcing the appointment, the governor also disclosed that five members of the team were drawn from the State Executive Council, who would represent the state government on the Advisory Council include himself (Governor Otti), the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike; Commissioner for Finance, Mr Michael Akpara; and Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu respectively.
Otti said that the constitution of the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council (AGEAC) was part of his administration’s strategic plan to ensure the overall economic development of the state, adding that the appointment of the 19 distinguished Nigerians with global records to serve on the Council was aimed at building Abia into a self-sustaining economic hub.
Otti, while lamenting that the economy of Abia State has suffered neglect and became fragile due to untold economic sabotage, over the years, said his administration since its inception on May 29, 2023, has commenced the socio-economic re-engineering of the state from what he described as the wreckage of over the last two decades.
“Our programmes are already re-positioning and rebuilding Abia State as the economic pride of Nigeria.
“Therefore, it is essential to ensure that its economic development strategy is founded not only on a thorough understanding of the local economic environment but also on the dynamics of the emerging forces now shaping the future of the global economy”, he said.
