The Executive Director (Projects), South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and former Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his vision and commitment in integrating the South#Eastern part of Nigeria into his developmental policies, through the interventionist commission.
Okechukwu gave the commendation on Tuesday during the Orji River Economic and Development Summit held in Orji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The primary objectives of the Economic and Development Summit were to: Create Awareness of the potential of Oji River in terms of Location and Natural Resources, Promote long term and sustainable development and prosperity and Encourage investment and collaboration between public and private sectors as well as external stakeholders.
Delivering his goodwill message at the event, Okechukwu, who once represented Aninri, Awgu, and Orji River Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said that the SEDC was set up with a clear mission to drive sustainable development and position the South-East as Africa’s preferred investment destination by 2030.
The former lawmaker lamented that the war decades ago damaged more than infrastructure, as it also broke the region’s momentum, stressing that the mission of the commission is to drive sustainable development, economic growth, and unity in the South East through strategic investments and empowerment initiatives.
Okechukwu said, “The Commission was established under the SEDC Act 2024 and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as a critical vehicle to accelerate the recovery, reinvention, and prosperity of the South East region. The war decades ago damaged more than our roads and homes, disrupted our economic rhythm, slowed our institutions, and deepened a sense of marginalization. SEDC is our collective answer to that history. We must not wait for the centre to fix the East. We have to do it ourselves and do it smartly.”
“Our mission is to drive sustainable development, economic growth, and unity in the South East through strategic investments and empowerment initiatives. Our vision is to position the South East as the preferred investment destination in Africa by 2030. We are therefore taking action: To build a $1 billion asset base within 10 years by strategically leveraging both public and private capital. We are developing programs for urban renewal, energy hubs, innovation corridors, and agro-industrial zones.
“The war decades ago damaged more than our roads and homes, disrupted our economic rhythm, slowed our institutions, and deepened a sense of marginalization. SEDC’s clear roadmap demonstrates that we are not just a bureaucracy; we are focused on long-term goals while executing in real time. It is a business-minded, regionally driven platform for catalytic change. We are launching security interventions, investing in startups, restoring broken infrastructure, and activating our human capital.”
Focusing on the summit’s host community, Orji River, Okechukwu described the Local Government Area as uniquely positioned within the Awka–Enugu–Onitsha economic corridor, whose economy, when properly harnessed, should be above many in the country.
He urged stakeholders in Oji River to take advantage of key SEDC opportunities, including the Priority Project Fund, diaspora-driven urban planning, youth enterprise grants, regional security investments, and the planned 50,000-hectare agricultural development initiative.
“Oji River is not on the margin of development. It is on the edge of opportunity. The future of this region depends on smart alignment, and Oji River should not be looking only inward. We should be thinking across borders economically, logistically, and strategically. Oji River doesn’t need to wait to be absorbed into someone else’s plan. It has to position itself and shape the agenda.
“SEDC has allocation available to each state for high-impact projects. This money is not allocated based on size; it is allocated based on readiness. Identify the land. Mobilise your cooperatives. Get into the conversation. If you are stable, connected, and well-policed, you become a node of confidence in the regional economy,” He said
He also emphasized the need for strategy and coordination as the people of Oji River mobilize for the new wave of growth.
“The people of Oji River are not lacking in talent. We are not lacking in ideas. What we need now is organisation, structure, and speed. There needs to be a deliberate effort to identify Oji River’s comparative advantage. Put together your priority project list. Build your partnerships. Package your proposals. Make them bankable.”
The former lawmaker also appreciated the National Assembly, particularly, the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu for legislative ingenuity in ensuring that SEDC Act was enacted, passed, and assented to.
Chronicling President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts for the development of the South East region, He hailed the President for several projects that are beneficial to the region such as the construction of the Abia Airport, launch of the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Enugu State and so on.
Rt. Hon Toby used the occasion to reaffirm his personal and professional commitment to the growth of Oji River and the Greater Awgu region.
“I may hold a new portfolio, but my commitment to this place has never changed. Where Oji River is building, I will be there. Where your ideas are ready, I will open doors. Where your ambition matches your execution, I will match it with advocacy. Let’s not talk about the future anymore. Let’s build it,” he added.
