Worried by the security threats and the difficult socio-economic challenges facing the South East, the five governors from the region on Thursday, held a summit in Owerri, Imo state to proffer solution to the insecurity plaguing the zone.
The Summit is aimed at addressing some of the issues confronting the geo political zone, especially the insecurity, which has led to needless loss of innocent lives, and adversely affected the economy of the region.
The summit which had the theme “South East Beyond 2023, Time for a Reset”, was facilitated by the South-East Governors’ Forum and supported by Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Among the governors present at the summit were the host, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Alex Otti of Abia State and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, who was represented by his deputy, Patricia Obila.
Others present were former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; President General Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Security Chiefs, serving and retired members of the National Assembly, captains of industry, among others.
The host governor, Senator Hope Uzodinmma, in his welcome address, charged the governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders at the summit to join hands in developing a sustainable template that will fast track the growth of the South East.
While preaching for peace, Uzodinma stressed the point for Igbo leaders and youths to bring growth to the homestead, calling for a conference between Southeast Leaders and Igbo youths to address issues affecting the region.
On his part, the governor of Anambra state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, harped on the need for partnership among Ndi Igbo and other parts of the country, adding that the South East cannot be in isolation.
Soludo, a former governor of CBN, while reeling out plans on how to revive the economy of the region, also pointed to the need to invest in human capital development.
On the initiative of the Summit, Soludo said; “to our people clamouring for unity among the Southeast governors, it is a new dawn upon the Southeast.”
He called for the development of a one hundred year-plan for the development of the South East region, expressing the unwavering commitment of the Anambra government to the Southeast agenda.
Soludo emphasized the need for the plan, insisting that without a destination in mind, any road can be explored, citing how the state government developed a 50-year plan called the “Anambra vision 2070”.
“The Southeast is ready and ripe for business, and we must believe in our ability to make things right again and move the region forward in spite of the challenges.
“There is need for synergy and partnership with the rest of Nigeria, Africa and the international community to implement this plan, because as an itinerant people, who are everywhere, the Igbos cannot afford to be intolerant and provincial,” he said
Also speaking, the governor of Abia State, Mr Alex Otti identified leadership failures as a key problem of the region, urging the governors and other stakeholders to be visionary, so as to transform their state and the south east at large.
According to him, “leaders should create an enabling environment for businesses to do well in the Southeast and to identify investment opportunities within the domain.”
He added that where necessary, the government should intervene in businesses, illustrating with the US government which invests $30 billion annually in agriculture, energy, transportation, and other areas to ensure food security and economic growth.
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, canvassed for a common strategy and operational plan to tackle security challenges in the Southeast region of Nigeria, calling for the establishment of a Command and Control Center that is central to all component states.
For the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru who was represented by his deputy, Patricia Obila, the summit came at the right time, when Igbo governors can come together to speak with one voice.
