The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has thanked the Management of Sterling Bank PLC for supporting the State Governments drive towards the promotion of Made in Aba goods.

Governor Ikpeazu was speaking when he received in audience at the Government House,Umuahia the Management of the Bank led by the Executive Director ,Institutional Banking Division of the Bank ,Mr Emmanuel Emefinim.

The Governor expressed deep excitement that the bank was keying into the State Government’s initiative, noting that the bank was doing something deeper and more profound than the ordinary conventional banking.
He reiterated that his administration’s commitment to the Made in Aba project is unwaivering and charged the bank to support the move.
The Governor who expressed joy with the linkage the Bank was providing said he was optimistic that the partnership between his administration and the bank will bear fruits.

Dr Ikpeazu disclosed that his Government has been able to surmount the initial problems confronting local producers in Aba including the issue of power and automation among others, adding that private people have also keyed in fully into the initiative.
He said that with the assistance of Sterling Bank, local producers in Aba can now compete favourably with their peers elsewhere.

He made public that the Federal government has announced that the Nigeria Military is prepared to continue placing orders for military boots produced in Aba, having earlier procured 50, 000 pairs of military boots produced in Aba.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Institutional Banking Division, Sterling Bank PLC, Mr. Emmanuel Emefinim stated the readiness of the Bank to partner the State in the production of local goods, starting with Shoe Making. He disclosed that the Bank is already in touch with the Kano State Government and local producers of leather to get the best quality leather as raw materials for the Aba leather cluster.

Mr. Emefinim disclosed that what the Bank is doing is a new initiative that has never happened before, stressing that their visit to the State was to validate the position of the Bank in that regard.

According to him, the Bank is determined to partner end to end from sourcing of raw materials to the production and sale of Made in Abia shoes. He thanked the Governor for what he is doing for the people of the State as well as for creating enabling business environment in the State.

The Honorable Commissioners for Finance and SME Development, Dr. Aham Uko and Mr. Onyema Wachuku respectively, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Dr-acb Agbazuere and Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo were at the event which held at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House Umuahia.

Onyebuchi Ememanka, Esq
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
6th February, 2020.