Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has commended President Bola Tinubu for giving Ndi Igbo a platform that will announce them to the world.
Governor Otti who gave the commendation during a
Grand reception organized by Prince Arthur Eze in honour of the pioneer members, Board and management of the South East Development Commission SEDC, held at the Oranto International Airport Hotel, Enugu State, described the SEDC as a special purpose vehicle the Igbo’s need to drive development across the South East region.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba implored members of the SEDC Governing Board to see how best they can align the commissions developmental programmes with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable development.
The State Chief Executive also called on stakeholders in Southeastern region to use the platform and opportunity to actively engage, contribute and support the commission in shaping its policies and initiatives to enable them achieve their lofty purpose as well as address the vacuum of development created by the devastations of the civil war.
He further lauded the Chief Host of the grand reception, Prince Arthur Eze for his foresight in organizing the reception and assured the SEDC board that his administration is open to supportive ideas and collaborative ventures in actualizing their mandate which has the goal of achieving rapid development of the South East region.
Also speaking, the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Peter Mba explained that President Bola Tinubu by virtue of accenting to the Act establishing the SEDC and constituting the Governing Board, has fulfilled what successive Nigerian leaders failed to do, adding that the gesture stands out as a huge testimony of the President’s interest, care, affection and understanding of the plights of the Southeastern region.
In their remarks, the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Government of the Federation, Dr Maurice Mbaeri, the Chairman of the occasion and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the Chief Host of the grand reception, Prince Arthur Eze, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his genuine interest in the development and rebuilding of the South East region and assured him of the support of South Easterners and Ndi Igbo at large in the onerous task of actualizing his Renewed Hope Agenda.
In their goodwill messages, the President of the Nigerian Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Oguejiofor Ujam, the Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Dr E. C. Okeke among others enjoined the SEDC Board to ensure that Southeast receives the attention it deserves in national development plans and expressed optimism that the effort will translate into tangible progress for Ndi Igbo and beyond.
In their speeches, the Chairman, South East Development Commission SEDC, Chief Emeka Wogu and the MD/CEO of SEDC, Mr Mark Okoye, appreciated President Tinubu and the National Assembly for their commitment in establishing the commission, adding that they are poised to position the South East region as a preferred investment destination in Africa by the year 2030.
They further used the opportunity to enumerate some of the strategic objectives the Commission intends to achieve by 2035 including, the execution of transformative projects in infrastructure, energy and technology, strengthening security infrastructure in partnership with State governments and enhancing the ease of doing business to make the region more attractive for investors.
Our correspondent reports that the event which featured goodwill messages, attracted the presence of members of the National Assembly, distinguished personalities and stakeholders from South East, the clergy, traditional rulers including the state Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Linus Nto Mba among others.
