Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared open the Abia–Turkiye Investment Summit and Product Exhibition, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to convert the State’s vast economic potential into a launchpad for accelerated development.
Flagging off the three-day summit at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Governor Otti—who themed his keynote address “Prosperity through Partnership”said the initiative was designed to give local businesses a direct handshake with Turkish and global investors. He emphasised that the goal is to create partnership pipelines that will help Abia entrepreneurs gain entry into regional and global markets while showcasing the State to the world.
Governor Otti encouraged visiting investors to harness Abia’s large pool of skilled manpower, the increasingly stable electricity supply particularly in Aba,its expanding road network, and its peaceful business climate. He urged them to explore opportunities across the agricultural value chain in all 17 LGAs by engaging directly with communities and the Commissioner for Agriculture.
“Go into the communities, interact with local business leaders, and identify opportunities with strategic advantages. You can be sure of the steady support of the State Government to make a success of your ventures,” the Governor assured.
Representing the Republic of Turkiye, the Commercial Councillor of the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria, Erdal Faitah Tozoghu, affirmed Turkiye’s strong commitment to building a long-term business relationship with Abia State. He expressed hope that the summit would grow into an annual tradition with even wider Turkish participation.
“The steps we take today will build a bridge not only between two economies, but between two futures. Let us walk this road together with trust, respect, and shared ambition,” he said.
Partners at the summit including Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, Managing Director of Vega Growing Global Enterprise, and Abiodun Aderohunmu, Managing Partner highlighted key investment prospects in textiles, agriculture, and manufacturing. They described Abia as the new investment destination of the South East, crediting Governor Otti’s reforms for restoring investor confidence.
The Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Salome Obiukwu, noted that the summit represents a bold leap towards deeper economic cooperation and greater bilateral opportunities between Abia and Turkiye.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Investment Promotion and PPP, High Chief Jerome Green-Amakwe, said the summit would significantly enhance the State’s economic expansion, describing it as a strategic collaboration to promote trade, commerce, and industry. He added that Abia is using the platform to “expose itself to the world,” especially after the visible transformations recorded in the last two years and six months.
The high-profile event attracted dignitaries from various sectors and featured an extensive tour of exhibition stands, where Governor Otti inspected innovative products from local and international exhibitors.
