Homework for South East Governors and their Advisers.

It is not enough to construct roads. Job creation is cardinal to brain retention. An average Igbo youth heads southwest, North or South-South after graduation. The reason is not far-fetched. Most businesses and companies are located outside Igboland.

Do you know that Owerri is the only city with a Cinema in the whole of South-East, yet Igbos are the biggest stakeholders in Nollywood industry. Aside Owerri, the closest Cinema to Anambra and Enugu State is Asaba Cinema in Okpanam road. The users (majority) come from Anambra State, a handful, from Enugu state.

Do you also know that Enugu State used to be the hub for movie makers due to their beautiful locations. Poor security during Chimaroke's administration exposed the movie artists and those behind the scene to various onslaughts from Enugu indigenes, while a huge number of them illegally taxed excessively. Enugu lost, Asaba gained.

Another business that left South -East for Asaba benefit is the mishandling of Upper Iweka motor park. The disagreement and subsequent ban of God is Good motor company by ANAMBRA State government turned Asaba axis of the head bridge to a theater of some sort earning the Delta state government massive internal generated revenue. About 82 percent (estimate mine) of the bus terminal users are from Anambra State (Onitsha).

Do you also know that Indomie Noodles; Oh! Indomie! Indomie Noodles is manufactured in three locations in Nigeria:
1. The United Food Industries Limited Ogun State
2. Dufil Prima Foods PLC Port-Harcourt (Rivers State)
3. Northern Noddles Limited Kaduna State.
Yet, it is on record that highest consumers of all Fast Moving Consumable Goods (FMCG) in Nigeria, which Indomie is one of them are Ndigbo.

We all are familiar with the story that Dangote, the owner of Dangote Cement refused to cite his industries in Igboland. In fact, it was also suggested that he even sabotaged our very own Ibeto from buying Nkalagu Cement through former Ebonyi State Governor. Still, Igbos are the highest customers of Dangote Cement, used to construct beautiful edifices in Igboland, 75% houses in Abuja and above 60% built properties in Lagos.

Until Peter Obi brought Hero Breweries to ONITSHA and before then, Festus Odimegwu brought Nigeria Breweries to Enugu, all the alcohol we drink are manufactured outside Igboland. And Alcohol is consumed highest in Igboland by Ndigbo. Igbos na anuta nkwu ofuma. In fact, humor has it that If invited to an Igbo and Yoruba wedding. First, attend a Yoruba wedding and eat before going to an Igbo wedding because Igbos only serve alcohol.

One begin to ask questions why industries and manufacturing companies avoid Igboland? While numerous companies propagate theories to justify why they can't come to the southeast. One of such argument is enormous illegal levies from town developement youths including Igwe in council. Let me give an example. A relative bought a piece of Land at Okpuno Awka, Anambra State. To fence that plot of Land, the owner must pay Okpuno Youths N120,000 and Igwe Okpuno, another N120,000 – total of N340,000. This is excluding the cost you will pay officially to Local Government after obtaining building plan.

If we must progress – the reason #Igboville is promoting #ProgressIgboland project – let southeast Government initiate appropriate policies for investors first. Afterward, any investor that refused to invest, let the government make it difficult for their products to sell in the southeast if they are not manufactured in the southeast. One option is to invite another competitor to set up a competing brand and break that monopoly. Peter Obi did it with Hero beer, and it broke NBL monopoly. Hero created additional jobs for our people and contributed to the economic development of South-East.

Do you know that most private sector development in southeast earned their resources outside Igboland? And when they bring it home to invest, Igbo youths and Igwe in council will force them to pay close to half a million naira before they fence their land. It is a shame!

Maybe, just maybe, time has come when our governors will stop thinking my state and start thinking South East economic development blueprint. Our administrators need to get together and decide on the projects they can collectively build in various states and managed by South East Economic developement where all States have a stake and profits shared equally.

For instance, all South East governors can invest in Nkalagu Cement in Ebonyi state. Let the States help the private investor and set it up. The company will refund back the states and still share profit since they are also shareholders.

Another project is citing film village in Enugu or ANAMBRA state. Turning Oguta lake to a powerful tourist attraction, would not be bad. Ensuring that all Igbo people patronize made in Aba shoes and clothes while state government patronizes Innoson motors will create employments for our people and reduce the number of those leaving South-east for Lagos and other States.

I was told that in the late 70s, early 80s, and I also noticed in early 90s, one will hardly see a northerner driving a different automobile that is not Peugeot Assembled in Nigeria (PAN). While this brand is French, they patronized the product to grow their regional economy.

Therefore, it is not only enough to posit that Igbos are wise. Our actions must be a reflection of that wisdom. And if you permit me, I must assert forcefully, that I see no wisdom in the decision of our governors to buy Toyota and Hyundai products with no assembling plant in the southeast, for their usage, when we have a growing automobile industry in Nnewi – Innoson Motors. Such decision is unwise, stupid, rash, ill-advised and ill-considered.