Redefining Grassroots Development: Ike Anyatonwu takes the lead with Isiala Ngwa South Economic Summit

The Executive Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Council, Abia State, Comrade Ike Anyatonwu (Emetumba) has assured of the readiness of the Council to host the maiden Isiala Ngwa South Economic Summit slated for Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Aba Sports Club, Aba, from 10:00 AM.

Organized with the theme: ‘Discovering the Economic Potentials of our People’, the Summit, which has been described by analysts and stakeholders as a strategic intervention towards redefining grassroots development, comes as the first of its kind not only in Abia State but in Nigeria.

In a chat with News Leverage, Comrade Anyatonwu, well known for initiating bold social innovation projects, said that contrary to popular misconceptions, economic summits are not exclusively reserved for Federal and State governments, stressing that leaders at the Local Government level should equally explore such platforms to identify and consolidate on the peculiar economic strengths of their areas.

Comrade Anyatonwu recalled that “during our swearing-in ceremony last year, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had charged the newly elected Local Government Chairmen to think outside the box and come up with innovative schemes that would boost the economic well-being of their LGAs and the State in general. The Isiala Ngwa South Economic Summit is part of our response to the Governor’s charge. We shall explore ideas which, in tandem with the Governor’s economic blueprint, would enhance sustainable economic transformation at the grassroots, outlive our administration and serve as evidence-based policy compass for future leaders of Isiala Ngwa South”.

Providing more details, Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Barrister Polycarp Uzoaga informed our reporter that the Summit would be chaired by renowned development expert, Engr. Ferdinand Agbara while Professor Godfrey Nji of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, would be the Keynote Speaker. He further informed that resource persons for the Summit include Dr. Obinna Uruakpa (leading entrepreneur and CEO of Grand Renaissance International Limited) and Professor Chiedozie Egesi of the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike. According to him, the Summit would be hosted by distinguished sons of Isiala Ngwa South, including Hon. Darlington Nwokocha (member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency), Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu (former Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly) and Professor ACB Agbazuere (Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State), while Comrade Ike Anyatonwu is the Chief Host.

He said that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the historic event.