The intangible aspect of Ikpeazu's Achievements are much more impactful
Posted by Sam Hart | 4 years ago | 1,404 times
Written by Sam Hart, DG- Abia state Marketing and Quality Management Agency
While people pay a lot of attention to the tangible aspects of the achievements of the administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu like roads, it is my belief that the intangible ones are much more impactful and enduring. Capacity building, profile raising, created opportunities and impactful connections are things that will serve you for the rest of your life and open doors that ordinarily, you may not have been able to walk through.
Onwuasoanya Norah and Prosper Chidinma Erem are both entrepreneurs in Abia State whose lives have assumed a new dimension because of the policies of the Ikpeazu administration.
Norah makes shoes and bags while Prosper makes shoes.
When we were shortlisting those who will participate in the Abia-China Automated Shoe Training Project, their names came up and they were shortlisted and made the final cut. They travelled to China for one month all expenses paid to hone their craft courtesy of Governor Ikpeazu.
Upon return from China, while waiting for the machines to arrive, they applied the new skills they garnered in China and raised their craftsmanship game.
Last year, Norah won SME of the year (female category) for her creativity in using Ankara to make shoes and bags at the SME Awards hosted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Her price was a brand new car and N1M. The smart girl that she is, she has opened a classy showroom for her business.
Prosper too has since gone nuclear. Her shoe designs are top notch and she also won an award organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor of Abia State for her entrepreneurship. She was also in Cairo, Egypt last year to participate in the Intra-African Trade Fair Organised by the Afrexim Bank.
Last week, organisers of a Masterclass with Creative Director at Dior to be hosted by Chimamanda Adichie reached out to us at #MadeInAbia to send 2 representatives from the Aba Creative Sector to be a part of the event. All expenses paid. Flights, accommodation, everything.
We selected Norah and Prosper because of their ingenuity and diligence.
Last night, they shone like a million stars in Lagos. They hobnobbed with fashion, showbiz, entertainment and literary royalty. They held their own. They owned the stage. They were the star attractions. Young girls from Aba who were excelling at their craft. Chimamanda loved them. Maria loved them. The crowd loved them.
Contacts have been exchanged. Assurances of future connections have been made. Who knows where else they will be invited to tomorrow?
Long after Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has left office, the impacts of the policies of his administration in the lives of these ones will continue to take them places.
These are intangible achievements. These are the ones I place more value on.
A lot more opportunities are coming.
We are ready.
Are you?
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