A former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, is optimistic that the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has the capacity to reposition Abia and make Igboland great again.

Playing host to Ikpeazu at his Enugu residence, Soludo, after listening to his guest, described Ikpeazu as a man with clarity of vision, adding that with the thorough diagnosis of problems facing Abia State which the governor-elect has made, he has no doubt that Ikpeazu would reposition Aba.

The former CBN Governor, however, confessed that he has not been to Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State in the last 20 years and promised to visit the South-East state soon, after listening to the Governor-elect.

“You have the clarity of vision. And you’ve also done a thorough diagnosis of the Abia problem. That alone tells me you have the capacity to reposition Abia and make Igboland great again. You will surely fill vacuum,” Soludo told Ikpeazu.

“I've not been to Aba in the last 20 years, but after listening to you, I’ve decided to visit Aba very soon,” Soludo said, adding: “Abia is surely at the heart of rescuing Igboland and it will be my pleasure to always brainstorm with you to ensure this happens. I’ve seen the potentials and I will do anything you want me to do to help you succeed in Abia.”

Stressing the importance of the commercial city, Soludo said: “Aba is a very important town to every Ndi Igbo, because there is no Igbo family that does not have link to Aba. I commend you.”

Earlier, an enthusiastic Ikpeazu had told his host that “repositioning Abia is a task that we must accomplish God helping us, and we need the support and partnership of people like you to drive our vision.”

“The present state of Aba, the commercial town of our people, which is almost comatose, is part of the reasons the economy of Abia, Ndigbo and Nigeria is always on the downslope, but all of that will be history after May 29, we are prepared to hit the ground running,” Ikpeazu assured and thanked Soludo for promising to partner with him.

“I appeal to you to always leave your doors open for us because all hands must be on deck for us to make Aba work again. We believe that if you get Aba right, Abia will be right and we are determined,” Ikpeazu said.

•Photo shows Ikpeazu (left) and Soludo during the Governor-elect’s visit to the ex-CBN Governor.

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