Essential Ndubuisi
…Youth Engagement and Job Creation is one of Azuka Okwuosa’s blueprint agenda for economic revival and emancipation*
By: George Aniebonam
Awka, Nigeria
Introduction
Industrialization is one of the key factors that propelled massive development, economic reform, economic revival, economic emancipation, economic growth and job creation.
The presence and effect of industries can never be ignored, neglected or underated because it’s the key to unlocking potentials and economic possibilities.
The existence of manufacturing industries will mitigate the increasing rate of unemployment among our youths and as well serve as an addendum to our economic status, growth and development.
INDUSTRIES IN COLONIAL ERA IN ANAMBRA STATE:
During the colonial era, there were only few industries operating in the country and as such, the presence of commerce and trade was very vibrant in the old eastern part of the country.
In Igbo cosmology, trading has been part and parcel of their lives and endeavor, particularly in the Old Anambra state.
Onitsha main market is seen as the commercial hub center for business and trading.
People from all works of life, regions and country trop in to main market Onitsha for goods procurement and so on.
During the colonial era, the colonial masters were able to set up few industries in the country and in the old eastern region, of which some of these legacies crossed over to post-colonial era before the civil war and some were decimated after the war as a result of negligence, ineptitude, incompetence and corruption.
INDUSTRIES IN POST-COLONIAL ERA IN ANAMBRA STATE:
Michael Okpara as the then regional officer of the eastern region did his own bid in setting up some industries and infrastructural development with the proceeds he generated from palm products domiciled within the eastern geographical region.
Okpara’s infrastructural and developmental strides gave impetus for the establishment of Onitsha main market biggest emporium in the west Africa.
Some of the legacies of Michael Okpara and industries he was able to put in place are retrenched as a result of successive government neglect, ineptitude and incompetence, thereby resulting to unemployment rate among youths and Nigerians within the range of working class age.
Presence of enabling environment was truncated and eager youths willing to venture into entrepreneurship are frustrated as a result of successive government failure to make provision for that.
ZUKKY’S SOLUTION AGENDA FOR INDUSTRIALIZATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION:
Zukky’s forthcoming administration will put in place integrated power plant (IPP) policy to enhance industrial productivity.
Secondly, his administration will create room for enabling environment for youths, aspiring entrepreneurs and struggling entrepreneurs.
Thirdly, Zukky’s administration will ensure that the state and local government will be the first off-taker for all goods manufactured in Anambra state, ranging from clothes, footwear’s and vehicles produced in the state.
Finally, Zukky’s administration will employ and maximize industrial sector in job creation and youth employment.
George Aniebonam
aniebonamgeorge7@gmail.com
+234(0)8161206548
Writer, Public affairs analyst, Educationist and administrator
