By adedeji tunji
Sequel to a bid to create jobs, improve infrastructural development and attract credible investors all over the world, the president and founder of Joseph Chukwuma Ikunna Foundation (JCI) Mr. Joseph Ikunna has attracted a group of credible investors known as the Imo State Town Development Association of Lagos (ISTDAL) into Imo State to invest in the Heartland Gateway International Market Mgbidi Imo State.
In his keynote address on the visit of the investors who came all the way from Lagos cut across 400 towns it represent pay a courtesy call to the grand patron at ISTDAL Mr. Joseph Ikunna at Mgbidi, Oru West LGA of Imo State. As a result of the passionate advice of Chief Joseph Ikunna, the Grand Patron of ISTDAL, Pastor Okey Anoruo committed to buying 5,000 forms to ensure that members from over 400 towns it represent in Lagos fully invest in Heartland International Market.
Chief Ikunna further advised members of the viability of their investment and that as a son of Mgbidi himself he would ensure the security of their investment in the project. He described Mgbidi as the Manchester City of Igbo land and the most attractive destination for investment in Nigeria. Stressing that Mgbidi is highly populated with a market driven economy as verifiable reports and studies pointed that now is the time to invest in Mgbidi.
The successful business mogul and philanthropist of note expressed regret over the delay by the federal government and asked why the present administration should continue to pay lip service to the development of a laudable project of such magnitude initiated by the government of the day.
He opined that it is one of his greatest wish to see the government provide an enabling environment and come to terms with the ISTDAL investors, so that his people can benefit from the economic boost it stands to generate to the project which he described as a vehicle for infrastructural development and wealth creation where completed.
Mr. Ikunna however, assured the investors and prospective investors to feel at home, describing Mgbidi as a peaceful loving community. He pointed out that the security in Mgbidi is awesome as the location is not just logistically positioned but also strategically in line for industrial development because Igbo people consume over 58% products in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ikunna bared his mind on JCI Foundation which was established in 2009 adding that since inception it has impacted positively on people’s lives. According to him, he felt the desire and need to give back to the society. He averred that in the past, JCI Foundation had empowered over 300 women with soft loans, over 100 university students receive grants every year. He explained that over 200 participants of JCI Foundation skill acquisition programme received Laptops donated by the foundation some months back. “These and many more were my little contribution to give back to my immediate community” he said.
Speaking shortly the president of ISTDAL, Pastor Okey Anoruo expressed his gratitude to Mr Ikunna who he described as one of the association’s trusted patrons.
