Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in February elections, yesterday told Ndigbo that he is committed to making Southeast the industrial and manufacturing hubs, of Nigeria if elected in next month’s election.
He also promised to create two seaports in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, to boost industrialisation, thereby creating jobs for youths.
Tinubu spoke on his plans for the Southeast at a rally held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, where he also promised to develop the mineral resources in the region, including coal, to propel its economic recovery.
At the rally, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is the Campaign Coordinator for Southeast, urged the people of the five states to shun ethnic and regional politics.
The rally was attended by APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Enekwu, who represented National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio; among other party stalwarts.
Urging the people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Tinubu said the next election will liberate and rekindle hope for a brighter future.
He said: “If you elect me as your president, we will work together. We will create an industrial hub in Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra States.
“We will also create two seaports in Port Harcourt and establish fabricating engines.
“Enugu will become an industrial hub, thereby creating jobs for the youths and all of you. You have incredible mineral resources to propel the economic recovery of the Southeast. You have an agricultural power that can produce many cash crops.
“Also, assembling plants can be created flourishing businesses. All you need to do is to partner with the Federal Government.”
Tinubu added: “My people of Enugu State, nothing is impossible unless you don’t put your mind to it. Together, nothing can stop us if we are determined.
“We will make Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra States and the entire Southeast a regional business hub, the manufacturing centre of Nigeria. It is very possible.
“Don’t wait for the white man to do this job for us. We’re brilliant enough, we’re great thinkers, we can fabricate, we can develop and we can mold; we can build engines and we can turn our coal into the industry.
“In Britain and America, they are still using their coal to fire turbines and generate electricity for their industries. We have the right to do so.
“Be bold Nigeria. Wake up, Africa. Let’s use what we have to develop our country. Let’s turn our coal into money. Let’s turn our gas into money.
“Now they say the price of crude oil is falling. Whatever it is, I am a realist, pragmatic, authentic, blessed, and brilliant man, a thinker. So, let’s use what we have to develop our country.
“We can have agro-processing centres. We have over 200 million people to feed. We are not going to starve to death.
“I lived abroad for about 17 years. I’ve managed their businesses. Let us take care of our home. We can do it. Nigeria is highly blessed by God. For us to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams; you have to be ready to make sacrifices and with strong determination, we can achieve greater things.”
