Otti transforming Aba into a global manufacturing hub, says Ajagba

Caleb Ajagba, chief of staff to the Abia State Governor, has reaffirmed that Governor Alex Otti was deliberately working to transform Abia from a local production hub into a globally respected manufacturing brand.

Ajagba stated this Tuesday during the flag-off ceremony of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity Programme (MCIPP) Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA) Training Programme, held at the main auditorium of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

Ajagba emphasised that the governor’s drive to rebrand and enhance the quality of “Made-in-Aba” products is strategic and forward-looking.

He noted that the training of Quality Assurance Assessors was a bold and purposeful step towards repositioning Abia, particularly Aba, as a centre of excellence in fashion, garment, and leather production, both nationally and across Africa.

He further said that the state government remained committed to fostering an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, through improved infrastructure, supportive policies, access to finance, and strict quality standardisation.

Ajagba expressed appreciation to project partners and facilitators, including Ethnocentrique Limited and the MasterCard Foundation, for their collaboration and technical expertise.

He urged the trainees to approach the programme with dedication, discipline, and integrity, stressing that the initiative’s success largely depends on how effectively they apply the knowledge gained. He also encouraged MSME operators to fully embrace the programme.

Adedapo Conde, the MCIPP Team Lead, described the Quality Assurance Assessors Programme, as a vital component of the MCIPP.

He explained that it is designed to strengthen the skills ecosystem and support the transformation of Aba into a globally recognised hub for skills development and export.

Conde added that the programme would also serve as an avenue for direct engagement with participants, providing deeper insights into the initiative and other strategic efforts by the state government to boost the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs.

He commended Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and reiterated Ethnocentrique Limited’s commitment to partnering with the state government in achieving its goal of positioning Aba as a globally recognised skills and export hub.