PISE-P Moves to Reposition South East, Adopts Non-kinetic Approach to Peace-building, Devt

A non-governmental organization, Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P), has moved to reposition the South East to its rightful place in the national political space.
The PISE-P, a comprehensive five-year peace-building and development initiative designed to address the complex socio-economic challenges and security issues facing the South East region of Nigeria, was developed in response to the growing impact of agitations, economic decline, and security threat. It seeks to restore peace and stimulate development through a multi-stakeholder approach.
At a virtual press briefing Tuesday, the group said it had a vision of a peaceful South East, where prosperity and opportunities abound, and every citizen is empowered to contribute to a thriving and united Nigeria.
The group also said its mission was to create an environment where every individual’s potential is unleashed, industries flourish and the South East becomes a beacon of prosperity, influencing positive change across Nigeria and beyond.
In achieving this, it adopts a non-Kinetic approach to peace-building and development, recognizing the need for long-term stability and shared rosperity.
PISE-P Project Coordinator, Mr Ogbonna Ukuku, during the virtual press briefing, said the non-kinetic approach would be built on the seven pillars for sustainable development.
According to Ukuku, the seven pillars are education, agriculture, commerce and industry, infrastructural development, culture and tourism, sports and entertainment, as well as governance and leadership.
He said the objective of the project encompassed a range of transformative actions, such as reorienting citizens towards national unity, identifying the root causes of conflicts, and developing effective strategies for their management.
The project coordinator said the overall aim was to promote peace, stability, drive progress, and create resilient communities that facilitate social cohesion in the South-East region.
“For education, the organisation plans to establish and renovate schools in conflict-affected areas, enhancing teacher training, providing teaching materials, and establishing scholarship programmes for vulnerable and disadvantaged students.
“PISE-P plans to establish business incubation centers, provide access to start-up capital, strengthen market linkages, support value chain development and encourage the establishment of cooperatives and business associations.”
“The plan is also to facilitate trade and investment fairs to drive economic growth and job creation”, he said, adding, “this is aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and vocational training for young people through the pillar of commerce and industry.”
“Additionally, the organisation seeks to empower and nurture the youth as the future leaders of tomorrow through strategic programmes that are politically, economically, and socially engaging,” Ukuku said.
PISE-P Director Programmes, Hon Karu Simon, said PISE-P’s mission was to restore the South-East’s rightful place in the national political space and usher in the era of democracy dividends.
Speaking on the PISE-P’s plan for education, he said this include establishing and renovating schools in conflict-affected areas, enhancing teacher training, providing teaching materials, and establishing scholarship programs for vulnerable and disadvantaged students.
The programme’s director also emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and vocational training for young people through the pillars of commerce and industry.
Director of Media, Mrs Mary Ikoku, in her remarks, said, “the coming together of this group of passionate individuals showcases a genuine interest in revitalizing the social, political and economic growth of our region.”
Ikoku noted that the task of rebuilding the South-East lied not only with political, religious, and traditional leaders but with every individual.
She therefore called on all stakeholders to join hands in repositioning the region for progress and development.
She commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for his overwhelming support and the pivotal role he played in the organisation.