* Urge Nd’Igbo to embrace peace for development, industrialisation
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has lauded the ‘Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P)’ launched in Abia State on Friday by President Bola Tinubu and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
The newly launched PISE-P, which is to return peace, unity, reconciliation and development to the Igbo speaking people of Nigeria, is a five-year programme initiated by the Deputy Speaker to tackle the intricate socio-economic challenges and security threats prevalent in the South-east.
President Tinubu, while unveiling the project weekend, said: “The Federal Government is determined to utilise its available resources to establish peace in the South-east geopolitical zone of the country.”
Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, described the zone as “an industrial hub, which plays a vital role in boosting the nation’s economic development”.
In a press statement Sunday by the Chairman of MAN representing Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu zone of the South-east, Ada Chukwudozie, the association said the PISE-P initiative came at a time the economic fortune of the region was fast draining, owing to insecurity and other agencies of economic sabotage.
“To us, the manufacturers, we cannot figure out the exact amount of our investments that have gone down the drain since the insecurity and agitations started a few years ago. Some of our members cannot access their factories, while those few who can still operate have to battle with insecurity and other things that have caused economic sabotage in Igbo land.
“We are indeed grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for accepting the use of non-kinetic measures in addressing the challenges in the South-east, rather than the use of force by past government, which helped to aggravate the situation.
“Our dear son, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, has also done well for birthing this great lofty idea, which has a far reaching goal of making South-east the commercial hub of Nigeria, once again, as said by the president and other leaders who attended the event on Friday.
“We want other leaders in South-east, be it governors, ministers, senators, honourable members, traditional rulers, clergymen and even the youth and women leaders to join this campaign. Let all the youths and women continue to sensitise the generality of the Nd’Igbo to see that we have lasting peace. The President-General of Ohaneze Nd’Igbo Worldwide, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is also doing well in that regard.
“Let us embrace peace for development, progress and industrialisation. Let us join him and other stakeholders to woo foreign investors and as usual, the manufacturers would be ready to provide guide and support in ensuring the South-east gets her place in the global economy,” she said.
Chukwudozie, however, called on President Tinubu to have deeper conversations with Deputy Speaker Kalu, governors, Ohaneze Nd’Igbo and other critical stakeholders from the South-east, so as to get more insight into what should be done to finally win the peace of the region.
