Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has identified agriculture, trade and commerce, as well as Small and Medium Enterprises as key to sustaining the Igbo economy. He also highlighted the need for huge markets and inter-state railway within the south-eastern states.

The Governor noted that importation is no longer fashionable now as it is surrounded by issues and noted that the focus is shifting gradually to whatever the people can produce.

He said that Ndigbo living abroad would help to fast-track development of their homeland when they bring their investments home.

Governor Ikpeazu spoke at a one-day summit organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Owerri, the Imo State capital. He also stressed the need for the country to aggregate into regional powers in terms of economic development and common facilities within the different regions as the way forward.

Ikpeazu noted that development of Igboland was a duty every Igbo son and daughter must be part of, stressing that all hands must be on deck to ensure a holistic development of the south East region.

“Last year when I was invited to a forum organised by Igbos in Lagos, I told them of the need to think home. I reminded our people in Lagos that our region is undeveloped because our businessmen are investing outside our region.

“We can’t be going about looking for investors when Igbos are the biggest investors all over the world. The time to encourage our people to come home and invest is now because investing here at home will create jobs for our people, and reduce crime as well,” the governor said.

Governor Ikpeazu who described the forum as a good beginning for Ndigbo to appraise their position and where they are headed, also called on Igbo leaders to jettison individual benefits and think of Igbo interest in everything they do.

"Its a good beginning that at this point we are appraising our position, where we are and where we will like to be. Time has come for Igbo leaders at all levels, including the businessmen, to put Ndigbo first in everything we do."

Governor Ikpeazu maintained that the prospects for the Igbo nation was enormous as he described Igbo as global catalysts for economic growth.

“If you want to spread prosperity, leave it in the hands of the Igbo. Apart from their spirit of entrepreneurship, you will notice also that they develop every environment they find themselves. An Igbo man in Kano is not there just to make money and go away, but he contributes to the development of the community there.”

He said that the forum was beyond politics as the focus right now was the survival of the Igbo nation, stressing that it does not matter which political party they belong, but the paramount thing is to pilot the development of the region.

The Governor stressed the need for love and unity among the Igbo and declared that God will not forsake the people.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.