The words of good leaders are always their bond. Good leaders are held accountable by their words, and Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has demonstrated this to the letter. During his campaigns promised Abia artisans a better deal and a departure from the past. The governor reinforced this promise in the early days of his administration when he met with Shoe, Bag, Belt and Trunk box Manufacturers Association of Abia state who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Umuahia. He stated his administration’s willingness to encourage and empower Aba shoe makers, bag and leather manufacturers to excel in their trade, adding that Abia is blessed in commerce with a lot of craftsmen and promised to give the association priority in his government’s scheme of things.

Today, the narrative Aba Shoe Industry which boom was cut short by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s regime when Nigeria became a dumping ground for all manner of imported goods, especially shoes has changed. A Daniel has come to judgment.

The Aba shoes industry which was the centre of attraction and also witnessed an unprecedented boom, capturing the West African and Central African markets such as Togo and Cameroun, has rebound.

Economic trips have been organised by Abia State Government overseas.The essence of these trips was for them to familiarize with mechanized methods of manufacturing shoes which is the vogue in most countries of the world.It was also to elevate their skill with training and exposure to modern technology to enhance capacity.

The economic trips have yielded results as the production levels of the shoe makers have tremendously increased and quality has become the watch word. Aba shoes are no longer treated with contempt. Thed shoes have attracted recognition across the country and internationally. The market is now and emerging market which is competing favourably with similar markets in the whole world.

No wonder Brazilian investors who visited the market sometimes ago were enthralled by what they saw. They bought pairs of shoes and wondered what the market would be when manufacturing process is fully mechanized.

Because of the boost in the Aba shoe industry, some youths who abandoned the industry for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations are now making u-turn. In the not-too- distant future, unemployment in Abia State would be drastically reduced with the revolution going on in Aba shoe industry.

Indeed, the Ariaria shoe market is already exploded and demands immediate attention. The market is divided into six zones: Power Line, Omenma, Imo Avenue, Shoe Plaza, Umuehilegbu Industrial Market, and Old Site.The total number of shoe makers from the various zones is estimated at 70,000 and the shoe manufacturing process is supported by division of labour. Each process is manned by either a smoother, tailor, sprayer, or a wheeling machine operator. On the average, each production is expected to employ three persons.There are strong opinions that scattering of the shoe makers will lead to poor regulation of their activities, and in turn, affect the quality of their products.

But Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu is proactive in his approaches. The proposed cluster for garment, shoe, belt and bag workers at Umukalika, the outskirt of Aba, will take care of the issue. This cluster would be equipped with a resource centre that could enable businessmen to register their trademarks, do quality control and open them to markets beyond the shores on Nigeria. The mindset of Gov. Ikpeazu is to conquer the Nigerian market first and make forays into West and Central Africa.

The benefits of the cluster are multifarious. It will also ensure that the leather workers enjoy economies of scale.The concentration of men with similar skills will promote competition and then innovation and will provide the common spirit that is necessary for cooperation and cross fertilisation of ideas. By bringing the shoe manufactures into clusters, they will easily learn about changing economic conditions, adapt and benefit from the changes. The physical proximity of these would encourage interaction and promote the exchange of ideas and expertise and this will, at the end, stimulate innovation and economic growth.

Gov. Ikpeazu has fulfilled part of his manifesto which is “to make Abia State the premier destination in Nigeria, West and Central Africa; for investors, shoppers, workers and tourists’’.

Gov.Ikpeazu proposed to leverage on areas where the state has comparative strength such as the people of Abia State whom he described as a vibrant people with enterprising spirit and diligence in labour. He promised to make them the core strength and pride of his administration, adding” we shall channel this resource by putting in place a competent leadership team of skilled and proven executors which will complement the energy of our population. We will also transform the businesses of our very enterprising and skilled populace to achieve scale and world class appeal. That way ‘made in Aba’ will become something to be proud of and not something shoddy; Aba made products in shoe/ leather, garments and other such sectors will be bought in global retail chains and markets. We will have wealthy Abians and residents out of these historical areas of strength. Young men and women will finish school and come to our industrial centres to make a good living knowing they will get their first car in record time”.

With Gov. Ikpeazu on the saddle, there is a changing narrative of the Aba shoe maker who was once scorned.

Written by Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu