Amby Uneze writes about the recent summit attended by the South East Governors in Owerri, the Imo state capital, to proffer solution to the myriad of political, economic and security problems facing the geo-political zone.
The recent South East Summit on Security and Economy, held in the enlivened city of Owerri, presented an auspicious platform for discussion and strategising in response to the South east’s daunting challenges. Interestingly, one man stood resolute among the colourful array of dignitaries – Governor Hope Uzodimma.
It is pertinent to give kudos to Governor Uzodimma for successfully hosting this pivotal summit.
The two-day Summit on Security and Economy with the Theme: “South East Beyond 2023, A Time for Reset”, posed a needed avenue to tackle most of the issues that had drawn back development in the region for decades now.
The Governor said the summit was organized to take decisions that will affect the entire zone on security, economy and even cooperations between one state and another, hence he said “the summit heralds a glorious new dawn.”
He recalled the strengths of the Igbo man during pre-independence era and immediately after, stemming from one sector to the other and regretted that “the trade mark of Igbo unity has been weakened.”
Posing some pertinent questions: “How did the mighty Igbo Nation fall from her Olympian heights to the basement? What actually happened to Igbo nation?,” the governor added that it was the Igbo unity that made the Igbo man trail blazers wherever they are found.
Recognizing that a lot of things had gone wrong, the governor said the Igbo technology and intellectual ingenuity are still alive and could still be applied to move the zone forward.
He suggested that “participants must rise from the summit with a clear road map that our people will follow to regain the lost freedom and businesses without molestations and harassments.”
Uzodimma, however, suggested the floating of South East Development Fund as a means of funding researches that will help articulate the development of the place.
A hands-on leader, the Governor demonstrated commendable leadership skills that marked his governance and success of the summit, as his canny preparedness, efficiency, and skilful coordination, underscored by the summit’s success, distinctly mirrors his focused drive and commitment to addressing pressing issues in the South East.
He noted that the planned dredging of Oguta Lake to Atlantic Ocean is a bold step towards re-engineering the economy of the South East and commended the Nnewi, Aba and Onitsha businessmen and women for exhibiting and sustaining the business spirit of Ndigbo.
Exuding exceptional organisational skills, Uzodimma ensured that the summit was precisely planned, thereby fulfilling its objectives that included efforts to enhancing security measures and economic growth in the region.
Security, a pressing challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the South East, was conspicuously prioritised in the summit. Thus, it is important to highlight the governor’s visionary stance to tackle these issues.
Furthermore, Uzodimma demonstrated a high degree of diplomacy as the organizers brought together diverse interest groups to discuss the South-East’s key affairs. This confluence of opinions, ideas and possible solutions to the region’s daunting challenges underscored the governor’s political adroitness and conveyed his commitment to unity, a prerequisite for the region’s progress.
His administration possessed a strong dedication to economic growth, which was evident throughout the summit.
The governor, understanding the vital role of the economy in the region’s overall development, set forth a platform to discuss and strategize on economic enhancement strategies.
This impressive feat further highlighted his commitment to transforming the South East region to take her rightful position in national economy.
Governors of Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States who were all present in the summit also made strong presentations. Governor Chukwuma Soludo suggested that Igbos should have an unwavering and unalloyed commitment to the South East Agenda and expressed delight to be part of the agenda, adding “The South East needs a hundred years plan that will lead the zone to a destination.”
He talked of “homeland consciousness” where the Igbo must believe in themselves, by believing in their products, in their technology and in their entrepreneurship.
Soludo also suggested that the Igbo must also need a partnership to achieve their security, political and economic destination because of their itinerant nature. Such partnership must be with Nigeria, the Diasporans and International Community, noting that “as itinerant people the Igbos don’t need to be provincial.”
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State said there is the need to engage the youths in dialogue and find out what their problems are. “We must appreciate that there is anger in the land and amongst the persons that made up the area. We must work for justice for the land, people and groups and stop extortions of the poor by the rich and the leaders and do everything possible to stop bloodletting.”
On his part, Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, suggested the need for regular meetings between the security agencies and leaders of the zone and the establishment of command and control centres to always analyse ideas that will move the zone forward.
He added that “there is need for the use of non-kinethic approaches such as: morals, town unions and others to persuade the Igbo men and women to see the need for peace and unity of the zone.”
Mbah talked of having a “unified market that takes care of competitive products advantage but most importantly, the need to build a ring-road that connects all the South East States.”
His Ebonyi State counterpart, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Onyemechi, suggested the need for peace to be derived from family and home settings and the need to monitor our children and know what they do outside home.
She also reemphasized the need for South East to believe in themselves and expressed full commitment to the project.
Director-General of World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke via zoom, in her keynote address, recalled that “the South East has so many talents, opportunities and resources begging to be exploited,” but regretted that “the zone has lost focus and is fragmented as a people who are disenchanted.”
She said insecurity in the zone is sending wrong signals to those who would have wished to invest in the zone and concluded that “we cannot develop in the face of insecurity.”
While she suggested the need to create an apprenticeship hub from where skilled youths will be recruited for lucrative employment, she also proposed that the South East convenes an investment forum.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that technology and digital economy are trending now globally, hence the need for digital infrastructural centre that can be located in Owerri and Abakiliki.
She also suggested that the South East Governors could come together to do financial engineering by establishing financial bond.
Also speaking via zoom, the presidential candidate of Labour Party during the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, commended the efforts of the South East governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the organizers of the summit for such a wonderful outing.
He suggested for all hands to be on deck to achieve economic development and security in the region.
Using the private sector perspective, the Chief Executive of Zinox Technologies Ltd, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, said “there is the need for a change in the economic thinking of our people because what worked yesterday cannot work today.”
Suggesting that “we should engage the youths in the critical development,” Ekeh enjoined the Governors of the South East to appeal to Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, noting that “Kanu is a critical factor in the security issues of the South East.”
The summit, successful in its execution, is not only ratifying of Governor Uzodimma’s strategic competence but also symbolises his clear vision for a secure, economically prosperous South East region. The governor’s successful hosting of the summit was a bold proclamation of his dynamism, administrative acumen, and fervour to engender transformative change in the South East.
In conclusion, the successful hosting of the South East summit on security and economy by Governor Uzodimma vividly showcased the governor’s prowess in diplomatic leadership and strategic organisation. His dedication to fostering unity, security, and economic prosperity within the South East region is not only commendable but inspirational, thus deserving of every applause.
-Uneze writes from Owerri
