President Bola Tinubu has said that the Federal Government (FG) is determined to utilise its available resources to establish peace in the Southeast geopolitical zone of the country.
Tinubu said this on Friday during the unveiling of Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) and the Thanksgiving Service of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, at the Bende Sports Field in Bende Local Government Area.
PISE-P is a five-year programme initiated by the Deputy Speaker to tackle the intricate socioeconomic challenges and security threats prevalent in the southeast region of Nigeria.
The President, represented by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, described the southeast region as an industrial hub which plays a vital role in the boosting the nation’s economic development.
He expressed the concerned of the FG over the extensive economic devastation inflicted on the region by non-state actors.
Tinubu said that FG would not allow any sinister operation by economic saboteurs who masquerade as advocates of “Ndigbo” to continue in the region.
“We know that the Southeast has weathered too many storms but the current economic stagnation has shaken the foundation of the region.
“We are not going to sit back and watch the fire go beyond what we can handle.
“We are here to extinguish the fire permanently,”he said.
Tinubu expressed the willingness of the FG to work with the citizenry and support initiatives such as PISE-P to enhance its efforts in restoring peace as well as the vibrant economic life in the region.
According to him, the decision was informed by the need to ensure that the federal government’s development agenda would be achieved in the region and nation at large.
“We are brothers and sisters striving for a nation that serves us all and together we must collaborate as a team to overcome the threats to our shared humanity and unity,” he said.
Tinubu commended Kalu for taking a stand for lasting peace in the southeast by evolving PISE-P.
In a speech, the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that insecurity poses as a significant deterrent to potential investors because they prioritise stability and security when considering locations for their investments.
Akpabio, represented by his deputy, Sen. Barau Jibrin, said that creating an atmosphere capable of attracting and retaining investors required collective efforts from stakeholders.
Akpabio also said that the attainment of the position of deputy speaker by Kalu had set a progressive trajectory for his political career which would foster unity, progress and development within the region.
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, said that the he was confident that PISE-P had the capacity to foster peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
Abbas urged political leaders from the region to engage the federal government in addressing the legitimate grievances of their people.
He said:” When peace and order is restored, we can proceed to creating economic opportunities for the youth.
“At the national assembly, we will ensure that funding is provided for infrastructure development, support for local businesses and creation of job opportunities.”
Declaring the South East peace resolution, the host Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR said the people are happy to have Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu as their son in Abia State. The Governor led the people to affirm thus:
“We, the people of South East hereby declare that peace is what we stand for as a region.
“We declare peace for prosperity, we declare peace for progress. We stand for peace in the South East as a catalyst that will drive growth in all sectors of the economy and rekindle the confidence of future generations.
“We declare that peace is better, ‘Udo kama’, made this day, the 29th of December, 2023 at Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, South East Nigeria before the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So , help me God!”
In his remark, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo described PISE-P as a welcome development which would enhance the efforts made to ensure that peace and security would be restored in the region.
Uzodinma, who is also the Chairman of Southeast Governor’s Forum, said that “anything that would bring peace to the southeast is dear to our hearts”.
In his address, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, described Kalu as an illustrious son of Igboland, who had distinguished himself in the society.
Achebe, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said that the event had given the region an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the deputy speaker to nation building.
He said that peace and reconciliation remain the basis for development and urged the citizenry to support the efforts made towards restoring peace in the region.
Responding, Kalu expressed gratitude for the massive support which PISE-P had received, adding that it was an indication that the project would be a success.
The Deputy Speaker said that the contributions made by stakeholders towards the peace of the region and nation would be rewarded by posterity.
The event featured conferment of a chieftaincy title of “Omeziri Igbo” on the President and conferment of chieftaincy titles on the Vice President, Senate President and Speaker as well as award presentations.
It also witnessed the symbolic release of pigeons to signify peace in the South East region and displays from various cultural groups.
The event also attracted the presence of Governors of the South East, Members of the National Assembly, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, First class Traditional Rulers including, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero and Chairman Abia Council of Traditional Rulers,Eze Linus Nto Mbah among other revered royal fathers among other dignitaries from the South East.
