The Sun is a strategic partner –Ikpeazu, Abia gov

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has described The Sun as a strategic partner in the development of the state.

Speaking yesterday when a delegation of The Sun Publishing Limited, led by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Eric Osagie, visited him at the Government House, Umuahia, Ikpeazu said The Sun could not be ignored by any government.

He stated that right from the inception of his administration, he had considered The Sun as a veritable platform to partner with, towards good governance and development.

The governor praised the newspaper for its professionalism and robust journalism, saying: “I have no doubt that you have done very well. It is a good thing to identify with your paper and your brand.”

He commended The Sun for contributing to the socio-economic development of Abia State, noting that the location of the newspaper’s printing press in Aba has created employment and wealth, which are some of the pillars of the developmental programme of the state government.

Governor Ikpeazu stated that he has always been part of The Sun, having been present when the newspaper’s Aba plant was commissioned a few years ago. He promised to even be closer to the newspaper now, as head of government, which is in a hurry to change the fortunes of indigenes and residents of the state.

He expressed excitement at the suggestion of a partnership with The Sun in the “Made-in-Aba festival,” saying: “You have seen what we have not seen, that is making the “Made-in-Aba products fair an annual event. I am humbled enough to say that I will give you the credit whenever we take off with that idea.”

On what would be the relationship with The Sun henceforth, the governor stated: “We are going to adjust in dealing with The Sun more often than we have been doing in the past. We owe you a duty also to support you. For The Sun to be printing in Abia also means that you are creating job opportunities for our people.”

On what he is doing to develop Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, Ikpeazu said:  “We are trying to do roads, so that it will be easy for those coming to do business have easy access. I did first streetlight in Aba and we have installed over 800 streetlights. This is aimed at increasing business hours.

“We have done quality roads in Aba and other places. I want to be remembered for the quality job done. I don’t want to go back and work on the same road I have done.”

Underlining the contributions of Aba to economic growth of the nation, the governor said: “Many people do not know that Aba is in the forefront of export of leather works in Nigeria, consistently, for the past 40 years. If you go to Ariaria Market today, at least 25 vehicles leave the market daily with all kinds of goods, heading for Togo, Cameroon and other African countries.”

Earlier in his presentation, Osagie told Governor Ikpeazu that The Sun team was in Abia to express appreciation to his government for its support.

He said: “We are here for two reasons. First, we are here to express our appreciation for your support to us. We decided to use the opportunity of our visit to interface with you personally, to explore areas we can be of mutual benefit to each other. We want you to see us as partners in progress.

“We want you to see The Sun as your own paper, as you have always done and to also accept it as your own paper, because it is an independent entity, run professionally. Every one you see here brings to the table his professional competence and his own integrity to the process. Luckily, you are an academic and you understand what I am talking about.

“We want to appreciate what you are doing. Though we don’t have time to go round the place, we hear that you are doing something good in Aba, which is your showpiece and also in Umuahia. We want you to continue that way.”

On the team that visited Ikpeazu were Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, Editor, Daily Sun;  Mr. Damola Lajumoke, GM, Operations; Alhaji Abdulfatah Oladeinde, Editor, Sunday Sun; Mr. Femi Babafemi, Editor, Saturday Sun; Mr. Chidi Nnadi, Assistant Editor/Bureau Chief, South East and Mr. Chuks Onuoha, Abia State Correspondent.