Abia State Government has inaugurated its Post COVID-19 Economic Advisory Council with the target to evolve a blueprint for the management of its economy beyond the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Council has as its Chairman, a former Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof Anya O Anya.
Others members of the Council include a former Chief Executive of the Defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Emeka Onwuka, Businessman and Chairman of Mainland Oil and Gas, Dr. Chris Odinaka Igwe, Traditional Ruler and Professor of Finance at the University of Lagos, Eze Professor S I Owuala, Economic Management Consultant, Sam Onukwue and Executive Secretary of the Abia State Planning Commission, Dr. Mrs Nnenna Chikezie.
The State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu inaugurated the Council in an online meeting, over the weekend.
Inaugurating the Council, the Governor told the members of the Council to take into consideration, the shocks generated by the pandemic and its attendant negative effects on the global economy and the impact on the Abia economy.
He reminded them that Abia is blessed with abundant human and natural resources which can be harnessed to support our economic development.
“With the uncertain prospect of the crude oil-based Nigerian economy and its direct consequence on the economy of states, every state must look inwards and find sustainable means of survival. The immediate challenge of this Council is to assist our administration fashion out means of managing our economy post-COVID-19,” the Governor said.
He explained that the Council members were carefully selected based on their credible personal records and assured them that their recommendations will be fully implemented by the government.
Ikpeazu further assured them that all organs of government will be at their disposal in the course of their assignment.
Responding, the Chairman of the Council, Professor Anya O Anya thanked the Governor for assembling a group of experienced and patriotic economic experts from the State for the assignment and assured him that they will approach the duty with the highest level of patriotism and a deep sense of urgency.
