GROpinion
Understanding the impact of the ‘Made in Aba’ campaign
By Sam Hart
When Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was planning to contest the Governorship of Abia State in the last quarter of the year 2014, he rolled out a manifesto detailing his plans and programmes that will be implemented by his administration upon assumption of office. The manifesto contained detailed prognosis and plans of action for a number of sectors including Health, Education, Road Infrastructure, Agriculture Trade and Commerce among others.
Under Trade and Commerce, the Governor outlined his vision for the strengthening of the production capacity of Aba to consolidate its status as the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Capital of West Africa. He was as clear on what to do as he was convinced that it would have the required impact.
The Governor was sworn in to Office on May 29, 2015 and shortly after, he began to walk his talk. From inception of office of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State till date, he has consistently worn only items of clothing produced in Aba for all his local and international outings. He has also encouraged his aides and friends to follow suit thus, today, 90% of Abia State Government Officials and workers are all permanently adorned in Made in Abia attire.
The Governor followed soon thereafter with a comprehensive Campaign to raise local and international awareness about the ingenuity of the Aba producers. Thus, the Made in Aba Campaign was born. Governor Ikpeazu took on the role of the Chief Marketer of Made in Aba Products and took the campaign to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria and beyond. Today, even the Federal Government has adopted a Made In Nigeria Campaign which is largely anchored on the Made in Aba Campaign.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as Acting President, came to Aba to hold a clinic with SME Producers in Aba. Afterwards, he signed into Law Executive Order Number 3, mandating all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that they patronize Local Producers for all their procurements. Aba was copiously mentioned in that proclamation.
Prior to this, the Governor had gone on a Marketing campaign. From the NYSC to the Nigerian Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo to all 36 Governors of Nigeria, major local and international visitors to Government House, Umuahia and even those he visited abroad, Governor Ikpeazu always had Made-In-Aba gifts to proudly present to everyone and encouraged them to come and patronize the Aba producers.
The campaign paid off. The Nigerian Army for the first time in its history produced 50,000 of its combat boots in Aba. The Nigerian Navy, Civil Defence Corps and other Agencies equally followed suit. Ford Foundation funded TBWA/Concepts to put the Aba Story on CNN and other local and international TV Stations.
Over N4Billion came into Aba as a result of increased visibility, new markets opened up and over 5,000 new apprentices and staff were hired to help the producers keep up with their increasing orders. The Rural Electrification Agency also moved into Ariaria International Market to provide uninterrupted power and today, a section of the market is experiencing 24hr uninterrupted electricity supply.
Never in the history of Aba has it received this kind of attention. Never in their lifetimes have the producers in Aba received this kind of exposure, interest and support. Countless Federal Government Agencies have opened office in Aba.
Not resting on his oars and because there is always more to be done, the Governor decided to take the project to the next level. At the moment, 98% of leather and garment production in Aba is largely manual-driven. This leads to irregular sizing, lack of uniformity in orders and long delays. As of today, there is not a single automated shoe factory in Aba and Governor Ikpeazu has decided to change that narrative.
On Thursday, January 4, 2018, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu will be hosting a farewell reception for 30 youths who are the first batch of the 100 youths that will depart for China to undergo intensive training in automated shoemaking technology. They have all secured their Visas and are ready to depart Nigeria. They will be departing over the weekend. Upon their return, the Governor has pledged that the Abia State Government will procure the full range of equipments required to set up an Abia State Automated Shoe Factory in Aba.
These youths will form the nucleus of the workforce in the Factory. The Factory, which the Governor has pledged shall be commissioned before June 2018, shall enable Abia State consolidate its status as the pre-eminent destination for leatherworks in Nigeria and shall serve as an enabler of the diligent work the manual producers have been doing over the years.
This whole series of events call for genuine introspection and perspective.
Who would have thought that a day will come when the ordinary shoemaker in Aba will be hosted by the Senate President of Nigeria in his Office at the National Assembly and showered with praises?
Who would have thought that an Aba Shoemaker and Tailor will be invited to the Presidential Villa and be hosted by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Who would have thought that the Aba Tailor will have an exhibition of his creations displayed at a fashion show on the runways of Abuja to the delight of Dilpomatic Community Officials.
Who would have thought that Aba Tailors will one day showcase their creations in New York, United States of America to a packed applauding audience?
Finally, who would have thought that Aba Shoemakers, without any connections, children of widows, orphans, indigent shoemakers, even non-Abians, including young ladies, without spending a kobo, will be travelling to China to undergo training on automated shoe manufacturing techniques?
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is not a shoemaker, he is not a tailor. None of his relatives are. But he has gone out of his way to ensure that the story and condition of the average artisan in Abia State is improved. This is the objective of leadership. Creating opportunities for a better life for the people. Posterity will be kind to Dr. Okezie Victor Chibuikem Ikpeazu for all he is doing to create opportunities for the artisans of Aba and Abia State.
Sam Hart, a Lawyer, wrote from Umuahia.
GROpinion
Insecurity In Zamfara – Hold Lawal Accountable, Not Matawalle
Writes Nasiru Aliyu, Media Advisor to the Hon. Minister
The recent protest organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum raises significant questions about political motivations and accountability.
Led by Musa Mahmoud the APC AKIDA group staged a demonstration at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding an investigation into the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, amid allegations linking him to banditry in the state.
The protest, predominantly featuring hired women and youths from Abuja, was framed as a response to escalating security concerns in Zamfara.
However, the underlying motives appear to be rooted in political rivalry rather than genuine concern for public safety.
The leader of the APC Akida Forum Tijjani Ramallan claims that Governor Dauda Lawal has accused Matawalle of collusion with bandits, suggesting that such ties have perpetuated the insecurity plaguing the region.
A critical point overlooked by Mahmoud and his supporters is that Matawalle is no longer the executive governor of Zamfara.
The current governor, Dauda Lawal, now holds the title of the state’s chief security officer, and therefore, he bears the primary responsibility for addressing the security crisis.
Instead of engaging in a blame game, Lawal should focus on implementing effective strategies to combat the rampant insecurity and provide the dividends of democracy to the people of Zamfara state.
The animosity towards Matawalle seems to stem from his previous role as the Director General of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign in the Northwest, where he played a pivotal role in securing significant electoral support for the current president.
This success has reportedly fueled envy among some political figures like Tijjani Ramallan, including Musa Mahmoud and others who may feel threatened by Matawalle’s rising profile.
It is noteworthy that allegations against Matawalle have been investigated by the National Security Adviser’s office, which found no evidence to support claims of his involvement in banditry.
This investigation contributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle in his ministerial position, where he has reportedly managed security matters in the Northwest with professionalism.
Adding to the complexity of this situation, a Kano High Court recently issued a restraining order against Governor Lawal and others, prohibiting them from continuing their smear campaign against Matawalle. This legal development underscores the court’s recognition of the potential harm caused by unfounded allegations and the need for accountability in political discourse and the state government has found an ally in APC AKIDA led by Tijjani Ramallan.
Despite the court’s intervention, Governor Lawal continues to leverage media platforms to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation, linking him to banditry and corruption without substantiating evidence.
Such tactics appear to be desperate attempts to undermine Matawalle’s credibility, likely motivated by Lawal’s desire to solidify his political standing.
The ongoing campaign against Matawalle by Lawal and his associates raises serious concerns about the integrity of political discourse in Zamfara.
It is imperative for the public to remain vigilant against misleading narratives and to recognize the broader implications of such political maneuvers.
The Kano High Court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the need for responsible governance.
In conclusion, the focus of accountability in Zamfara should shift towards Governor Dauda Lawal, who now holds the reins of security in the state.
Instead of casting blame on former officials, Lawal must take ownership of the security situation and work towards tangible solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of the people of Zamfara.
Furthermore, since Matawalle operational visit to sokoto led to the elimination of Bandit leader Halilu Sububu who is alleged to have died with the treasure of the sponsors of banditry in zamfara state, the pain propelled them to further embark on campaign of calumny.
The recent activities of some individuals with one Davids Iyida attempting to sabotage the MoMo Payment Service Bank project intended to benefit, especially Enugu Ezike people, have raised significant concern and outrage within the community.
Such actions aimed at undermining a project with immense potential to uplift and empower the people of Enugu Ezike can only be described as malicious.
The MoMo PSB project is designed to bring financial services closer to the people of Enugu Ezike, facilitating easier access to banking and financial transactions.
This project is expected to create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy. In a region where such opportunities are rare, the MoMo PSB project represents a beacon of hope for many residents.
It is particularly baffling and disheartening to witness a member of the community collaborate with outsiders to hinder the progress of their own people.
The reasons behind such alliances remain unclear, but the impact of these actions is evident and deeply troubling. Working to obstruct the project is not only delaying progress but also actively working against the welfare and advancement of Enugu Ezike.
The efforts to destroy Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu’s good intention, despite all the positive contributions he has made, are nothing short of wickedness.
Adonu, a visionary entrepreneur and the leading MTN Partner in the South East, has dedicated significant resources and efforts to bring the MoMo Payment Service Bank project to fruition.
His vision for the community includes economic growth, financial inclusion, and overall development. Attacking his vision is an attack on the progress and future of Enugu Ezike.
The question that lingers in the minds of many is: Why sabotaging our own benefits? In a time when unity and collective effort are paramount for the community’s advancement, such actions of sabotage are counterproductive and harmful. The community needs all hands on deck to drive development and improve the quality of life for its residents. Internal conflicts and malicious actions only serve to set back these efforts.
Despite the challenges and the malicious attempts to derail the project, it is important to reaffirm that S Mobile Group vision for establishing a MoMo Payment Service Bank in Enugu Ezike will prevail.
The community stands behind this vision, recognizing the immense benefits it promises to bring. Efforts to hinder progress will ultimately fail in the face of collective determination and support.
The actions of these ungrateful individuals, aimed at sabotaging the MoMo PSB project, are grave disservice to the community of Enugu Ezike.
In a time when progress and development are desperately needed, such malicious activities are deeply regrettable.
However, the vision and determination of Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu and the community’s support ensure that the project will succeed, bringing much-needed growth and prosperity to Enugu Ezike.
Let it be known that no amount of sabotage can dim the light of progress and unity.
Nwodo, a public commentator writes from Enugu State
Columnists
Cybersecurity in 2024: Towards Ever Greater Sophistication of Tactics
Writer: CHESTER WISNIEWSKI, Director Global Field CTO, Sophos
With 2024 fast approaching, what are the results for 2023 and what are the developments in the threat landscape for this new year?
The year 2023 was marked by persistence in the tactics of cybercriminals, with the predominance of ransomware, the exploitation of vulnerabilities, theft of credentials and even attacks targeting the supply chain. The common point in all his attacks is their formidable effectiveness.
It is therefore essential to ask what trends will persist in 2024 and what strategies businesses should adopt to deal with these future cyber threats.
Between persistent trends and evolving cybercrime tactics
In 2024, the threat landscape is not expected to change radically, particularly with regard to attack typologies and criminal tactics and procedures.
Criminal groups still primarily focus their attention on financial gains and ransomware remains their weapon of choice. These cybercriminals tend to take the easy way out by opportunistically attacking unpatched security vulnerabilities.
The recent Citrix Bleed attack demonstrated the agility of cybercriminals when it comes to quickly and effectively exploiting these new vulnerabilities.
However, once patches are applied to these vulnerabilities, cyberattackers tend to revert to more common strategies of stealing credentials or, failing that, cookies or session cookies, which, while slightly slower, constitute always a proven means that allows them to penetrate within a system.
In 2024, however, we should expect increased sophistication in defense evasion tactics, particularly due to the generalization of certain technologies such as multi-factor authentication. These attacks will combine malicious proxy servers, social engineering techniques and repeated authentication request attacks or “fatigue attacks”.
AI and regulations will continue to shape cybersecurity
In 2024, the development of AI will have a positive impact on the efficiency of IT teams and security teams by enabling them to strengthen defenses and work more efficiently, including through the processing of vast volumes of data in the aim of detecting anomalies. It should make it possible to respond more quickly in the event of an incident.
Indeed, analysis of attacks in 2023 showed a shortening of the time between network penetration and the triggering of a final attack – using malware or ransomware. The need for rapid detection and response tools to prevent costly incidents is therefore essential.
Finally, regulatory developments could have a major influence on measures taken against ransomware. The need to take more substantial measures could push some states to penalize the payment of ransoms, which would represent a brake on malicious actors and change the perspective of companies in the event of an attack.
Other stricter legislation, such as the implementation of the European NIS2 Directive, is also expected to force companies to take additional measures, particularly regarding their abilities to collect data sets.
To protect themselves against increasingly rapid, effective and costly attacks, companies will need to strengthen their defenses by equipping themselves with tools that allow them to detect and respond to incidents more quickly.
The worsening cybersecurity talent shortage does not appear to be as serious as some studies claim. On the contrary, companies have implemented more lax hiring criteria and more open-mindedness in the recruitment process.
From this perspective, to guarantee their survival in a constantly evolving threat landscape, companies have every interest in establishing partnerships with cybersecurity experts whose main mission is to make the hyperconnected world safer, to advise and assist them. in setting up effective defenses.
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