A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on Tuesday, urged South-East governors and Igbos to invest in the five states of the zone for it to be further developed.
Anyim gave the advice in Enugu at a two-day 2nd Eastern Nigeria Investment Summit.
The theme of the Summit is entitled: “Ibu Anyi Danda“ meaning the magic of togetherness and common purpose.
Anyim said the governors and the citizenry should come together to invest in and develop the region.
He said the unity of purpose with shared motivation, benefit, and mutual survival would offer the opportunity to pull their resources, talents, and ideas together for the benefit of the region.
Anyim urged them to emulate the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, who brought so much transformation and development to the area in the First Republic through industrialization and infrastructure.
He reminded the audience that after the assumption of office in 1960, Okpara was confronted with the challenge of uplifting the living standard of the people.
He said that with the support and collaboration of stakeholders in the region, Okpara was able to lift the plight of people through his government’s growth plan.
“At 39, he was able to invest in critical areas such as human capital development, industrialization, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and others, to stimulate the entire region.
“He attracted the participation of the private sector and divest government interest to the private sector and the region was rated the fastest developing economy in the world,” Anyim said.