ABIA – The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, says the State government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for enterprise growth through infrastructure development, policy support, access to finance and quality standardization.
Pastor Ajagba who stated this shortly after flagging-off the MSME Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity Program (MCIPP) Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA) Training Program, held at the New Main Auditorium, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba, noted that the administration of Governor Alex Otti is intentional about transforming Abia from a production hub into a globally respected manufacturing brand.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor while reteirating Governor Otti’s initiative to rebrand and improve the quality of Aba-made products, disclosed that the training of Quality Assurance Assessors represents a bold and deliberate step in the journey to reposition the State, especially Aba, as the hub of excellence in fashion, garment and leather production in the nation and across Africa.
He appreciated Ethnocentrique Limited, MasterCard Foundation, the partners and facilitators of the project, for their collaboration and technical expertise, as well as reminded the trainees that the success of the initiative depends largely on their commitment, discipline and integrity in applying what they will learn while urging MSME operators to embrace the process.
In his speech, the MCIPP Team Lead, Adedapo Conde, described the Quality Assurance Assessors Program as a critical component of the MCIPP, designed to strengthen the skills ecosystem and support the transformation of Aba into a globally recognized skills delivery and export hub.
Mr Conde explained that the event will also provide an opportunity for the MCIPP Team to engage directly with participants, offering deeper insights into the program and other strategic initiatives of the State Government aimed at supporting the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs.
He appreciated Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and support, noting that Ethnocentrique Limited remains fully committed to partnering with the State Government to realize its vision of positioning Aba as a globally recognized skills delivery and export hub.
The flag-off ceremony which featured the presentation of CAC and SMEDAN certificates to business owners also attracted the presence of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry and SMEs, Mrs Chinwe Kalu Uba, Rector, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Dr Christopher Okoro, among other notable personalities.
