Governor Okezie Ikpeazu says the development of the South-East geopolitical zone remains a shared responsibility of the citizens and the government.

Mr Ikpeazu said this on Tuesday during the Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Leadership Colloquium at his country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa local government area.

The event was part of the activities organised by the state government to celebrate the governor’s 58th birthday.

He urged Igbos to remain active players in implementing programmes and policies to transform Igboland, saying the absence of an Igbo philosophy was a major cause of the slow pace of advancement recorded in the zone, adding that this ought to be addressed.

 The governor also mentioned that using science and technology to produce innovative results showed great potential in transforming regions and societies, recommending digitisation as the new way to solve Igboland’s problems.

According to him, the former premier of the Eastern Region was able to develop the region’s economy into the fastest-growing economy by utilising its vast resources.

The Abia governor called on the Igbo business community outside the region to be deliberate about investing in the zone, adding that this would boost the region’s economy.

“Posterity will record the roles that we played in building the zone if we played our roles effectively in our little corner. We need to realign our attitude to enable us to conquer the world,” Mr Ikpeazu stressed. “In Abia, the state government has created an enabling environment through various initiatives such as the Enyimba Economic City and Geometric Power projects, so let us take advantage of it.”

He added, “We must provide jobs for our children, and the answer is the Enyimba Economic City and Geometric Power project.”

(NAN)