A media expert, Vin-Martin Ilo, has urged governors of the South East region to explore other areas of growing their states’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) apart from taxes.
Ilo said this on Saturday during the Nkata Umu Ibe – a Monthly Distinguished Speakers Series for the month of August, organised by the Centre for Memories (CFM), Enugu.
He said that the new trend that the only way for state governments in the South East to grow their IGR was by taxation had to stop.
According to him, the trend was not only driving away investors but also killing small businesses and killing our people.
“Our governments in the South East should be more creative and innovative and come up with revenue generation mechanisms that will not impoverish our people or scare businesses away,” he said.
Ilo, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Signature TV, noted that a onetime Anambra Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife once championed the “Think Home Philosophy. ”
According to him, this philosophy encouraged Igbo entrepreneurs to bring their businesses home including those in the Diaspora.
“There is no better time to replicate same than now as every day our brothers and sisters doing businesses in other parts of Nigeria and the world complain of attacks from their hosts.
“Our governments must create a welcoming and conducive atmosphere to attract these entrepreneurs back home,” he added.
He said the Igbo people were significant economic force in
Nigeria as they were known for their entrepreneurial spirit, robust trade networks, and contributions to the various sectors of the economy.
Ilo said that their strong emphasis on apprenticeship and networking, along with their resilience, had fueled their economic success despite challenges.
“Today, Igbos dominate a lot of sectors in Nigeria, including retail, aviation, hospitality etc.
“We need to sit down to discuss how these areas of advantage can be
strengthened and exploited for the good of the South-East,” he said.
He said that Igbos must invest more in manufacturing to create more value chains especially in the creation of jobs and employment.
