Let the records reflect that in the midst of a global pandemic & lockdown, I drove a campaign for indigenous production of medical essentials that led to the creation of over 3,000 jobs, attracted orders worth over N3B & led to the expansion of businesses in Abia State.

Specific role: I leveraged on social and traditional media to announce our capabilities, negotiated on behalf of the producers, submitted and defended samples in the format required by different organisations & monitored production to ensure adherence to approved specifications.

I leveraged contacts with local and international media organisations to tell our story which attracted more attention and invariably, more orders.

Links.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/17/africa/hand-made-coronavirus-kits-nigeria-spc/index.html

https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/region/west-africa/nigerian-tailors-join-ppe-rush/

https://allafrica.com/stories/202004210002.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigerian-tailors-are-hand-making-ppe-to-help-fight-coronavirus.html/amp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/businessday.ng/enterpreneur/article/covid-19-how-aba-fashion-designers-turn-adversity-into-opportunity/amp/

By the end of February 2020, not a single tailor in Aba had ever produced a facemask, PPE or any other kind of medical essential. We saw a market & motivated them to go into it. 6 months later, more than 200 tailors have expanded their operations with new equipments.

We brought in SON, NAFDAC, NCDC, every regulator that needed to approve the processes and this was achieved by again, leveraging on contacts. I reached out here on a number of occasions & people either got in touch or linked me up to who I needed to speak with. Social capital.

Let the records also reflect that this was the brainchild of Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He saw the potentials & funded the initial take-off of production before everyone understood the process. As stated above, I DROVE the process. The Governor provided the vehicle.

Let the records reflect that as at October 2019, Rice in Abia State was a rumor with little proof of existence. I picked up the commodity & drove a publicity campaign around it & 10 months later, over 10,000 bags of #AbiaRice have been sold with N200M going to Abia Rice Farmers.

Let the records reflect that through the #MadeInAba and #MadeInAbia Campaigns which I have been driving, a lot of visible & verifiable impact has been made in the creative space in Abia State. Unquantifiable new opportunities have been developed in the sector.

Let the records reflect that I, Sam Hart, have been marvellously helped by God, to excel at any task I set my mind to. Let the records reflect that I am a performer & achiever, through Christ that strengthens me.

Udo diri unu.

Ugwu Ngwu.

When the Aba Shoe Factory starts operation, we'll talk about that.

When you keep quiet about your role, erasure happens, unscrupulous people take credit for your work & people forget. Do not keep silent about the work you do. The world is not kind. Own your achievements.