Convener and National Coordinator of the Abia League Professional Initiative (ALPI), Mr Sonny Iroche, in collaboration with other members of the APG, have announced the commencement of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) initiative to fast-track development in Abia.
The ALPI is now set to kickstart numerous programmes which will contribute to the socio-economic development of Abia State.
Iroche who is also a top banking executive and a key player in the Nigeria’s organized private sector, disclosed that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), has issued the ALPI an official certificate of incorporation.
The group’s board of trustees which is an aggregation of Abia eggheads in various professional fields is to be chaired by Senator Ike Nwachukwu (a rtd General), a two-time minister of Foreign Affairs and former military Governor of Imo state (1984-1985). Nwachukwu, a thoroughbred professional, has served as Chairman of several international organisations and groups including the Organization of Africa Unity Liberty Committee.
Commenting on the calibre of Abia professionals on the group’s board, Iroche stated that the lastest development would help the initiative to perform its duties and mandate, which is to “demonstrate our professionalism, considering that we would interact with other multilateral agencies and development partners for the political and socio-economic development of Abia State.”
According to him, “Abia could rank a close second position to Lagos State in terms of the generation of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”
According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Abia State is the 5th most industrialized state in Nigeria. Abia State also has the 4th highest Index of Human development in the country.
However, Iroche, believes the state could do better in the economic sector. He stated that the development of the economic sector of Abia State will positively affect the residents in the state, and which will in turn boost the IGR.
The National Coordinator disclosed this in a statement released on Friday.
The statement also revealed the name of Board of Trustees and the committee of the Initiative.
Listed as members of Board of trustees are; Senator Ike Nwachukwu, the Chairman; Iroche, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO); Chike Ohiagu; Amb. (Mrs) Wadibia-Anyanwu; Chief Ogala Osoka; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; Chief Uche Amajor.
Also listed as members of the steering Committee are; Iroche, Chairman; Enyi Odigbo; Mrs Udochi Iheanacho; Hon Nnenna Eledu-Ukeje; Mrs Louisa Aguiyi Ironsi-Ayonote; Chiagozie Nwokonko, among others.
The ALPI has also constituted numerous committee which will carry out the developmental mandate in the State. The committee includes; Youths & Talent Development; Education with emphasis on Technology and Artificial Intelligence; Health & Hospital Management; Home Land Security; Agriculture & Proverty Alleviation, among other committees.
The statement partly reads, “Dear Members of Abia League of Professional Initiative (ALPI), I’m pleased to inform you that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), have today issued “Abia League of Professional Initiative” an official Certificate of Incorporation, hereby forwarded herewith; as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). The process had been quite grueling, but we thank God that despite several challenges, we have done the needful as professionals.
“ALPI, thus becomes one of the only such official incorporated Socio-Cultural NGOs in the country. We chose this enlightened path, to demonstrate our professionalism, considering that we would interact with other multilateral Agencies and development partners for the political, and socio- economic development of Abia State, and by extension the old Eastern Region. The recent lure in our activities have been as a result of the twin effects of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and our pending incorporation. Now, while still watching the effects of mass vaccination in Nigeria and the world, with the hope of achieving herd immunity and with our official registration now in place ALPI (AP), is set to go. We need to put our hands on the plough and never to look back.
“Great nations have been built, by great men and women such as are assembled here.
“We should recognize marginalization, but not pay too much attention to such distractions. With the resources available to Abia, the creation of peace and security and an enabling environment to do business, Abia could rank a close second position to Lagos State in terms of the generation of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The next steps that are proposed to move us forward shall be communicated to members very soon for their input and ownership. Our main intention as NdiAbia, under the umbrella of ALPI, is the enthronement of good governance for the people of Abia and by so doing RESTORE THE DIGNITY OF NOT ONLY ABIANS. BUT MAKING A STATEMENT THAT THE BLACK RACE CAN MAKE IT.
“IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU AND ME.” The statement read.
