- The recent South-East Economic and Security Summit in Owerri was held in response to the Southeast’s diminishing riches.
- The area can become a model of good governance and include young people and women in the digitalization team.
- The WTO chief emphasized the region’s issues, such as the infrastructure deficit, internal conflict, etc…
The recent South-East Economic and Security Summit in Owerri, Imo State, was held in response to the Southeast’s diminishing riches and the region’s growing peacetime insecurity condition.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Chief of Army Staff Azubuike Ihejirika, Minister of Labour Nkiruka Onyejeocha, former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okpnjo-Iweala, and clergy attended the summit.
Economic and Security Summit
The Southeast’s underdevelopment is the result of attacks against the zone and people’s undermining of one another. The area can become a model of good governance and include young people and women in the digitalization team.
The WTO chief emphasized the region’s issues, such as the infrastructure deficit, internal conflict, loss of purpose, fragmentation among people, and lack of support for one another.
On the subject of security, Iweala stated that there can be no growth unless there is security. She emphasized that to continue growth, we must address the issue of insecurity.
Other speakers, including Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Enugu State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, underlined the importance of peace and togetherness to utilize the region’s resources.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo underlined the need of the Southeast zone believing in itself to turn things around despite insecurity and other issues. He urged a rethinking of the Biafra agitation and tactics for dealing with insecurity in the Southeast, saying that years of unrest and agitation have been exploited as cover by criminal elements to prosper.
The Igboezue International Association and Diaspora (IIAND) asked Southeast governors to prioritize the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), if the zone is to attain peace and meaningful security.
Finally, the spirit behind the South-East Economic and Security Summit is admirable, and Ndigbo must recognize the involvement and support of the Southeast governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership, and the many citizens who associated with the cause.
