As part of its key advocacy for peace in the region, the Peace In South-East Project (PISE-P), on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), where a model was unveiled for Community Enterprise Digital Hub, to be established across the five states of the South-East region.
Recall that the PISE-P, an initiative of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, was recently launched in the South-East region to champion peace and other non-kinetic means of addressing the age-long sociological challenges agitating the people of the region.
Delivering his keynote address at the MoU signing, the Deputy Speaker said the initiative was aimed at bridging the digital divide in various constituencies, particularly in remote and underserved areas, with a focus on the South-East.
He said: “The South East region, once considered a hub for entrepreneurial activities, is facing numerous socio-economic challenges currently. Rising unemployment, inflation, and security threats have hindered the region’s potential for growth. PISE-P recognizes the urgency to address these challenges, restore peace, and unlock the untapped potential within the region.
“Utilizing NIGCOMSAT’s state-of-the-art satellite technology, CEDIH will provide reliable and affordable connectivity, ensuring that residents in the South East gain access to vital services such as telemedicine, education, and financial solutions. By addressing the digital gap, this project promotes inclusion, reduces disparities, and contributes to enhanced healthcare and overall quality of life for residents in the South East. If this is not renewed hope, I wonder what it is.
“Today, we also have the privilege of unveiling the model of the hub, symbolizing the tangible progress we are making towards a more connected and prosperous South East. This model represents our devotion to creating a future where every individual, regardless of their location, has equal access to information, opportunities, and resources.”
Kalu said that the programme was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on job creation.
“This event symbolizes the beginning of a transformative journey towards digital empowerment and inclusive development in our beloved South East, Nigeria as a whole, and is in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We must be certain about this, that the agenda of the President cannot be carried out by the President alone in isolation of the agencies of government and other arms of government.
“So, this is a true way from the Office of the Deputy Speaker, to assure Mr. President that his agenda, his renewed hope agenda, are well in placed. And when it comes to digital economy, we are embracing his vision for digital economy of this country. And we don’t want to wait for him. We want to leverage our relationship with the various government agencies in the country to begin to implement those dreams, those visions, so that they can become mission to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians. So, this is a way of saying we are partnering with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in South East for digital economy,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also called on other government agencies, non-governmental organisations and good spirited individuals, to take a cue from the patriotic initiative of NIGCOMSAT, to support and partner PISE-P, to enable it successfully utilise the line-up programs of employment, development, reconciliation and restoration of total peace in the South-East region.
“And we are also using this to make a call to other agencies of government to not just live in the letters of your mandate, live in activating the impact of the mandate that the enabling and establishing Acts that established you had in mind when you were brought into place.
“I encourage other agencies to emulate NIGCOMSAT, who has seen the gap and is trying to use the tools of the establishment to fill that gap. We need you in agriculture, we need you in education. We need you in environment and all that areas. Reach out to us, let us restore the dignity and the pride of that particular region once more.
“Peace in the South East Project is more than just a Non-Governmental Organization. We are a dedicated organization, driven by the vision of nurturing lasting peace, stability, and sustainable development in South East Nigeria. Through innovative and inclusive non-kinetic approaches, we empower our dynamic workforce to drive educational excellence, agricultural innovation, thriving commerce and industry, robust infrastructural development, rich cultural tourism, vibrant sports and entertainment, and effective governance and leadership. These are the pillars of PISE-P. Our vision is to unlock the untapped potential within the region and restore its position as a hub for entrepreneurial activities,” he added.
Kalu also commended the Governors in the five states of the South-East for working tirelessly to ensure security and peace of the people in the region.
The Deputy Speaker also acknowledged the various efforts of stakeholders, organisations and government agencies in supporting the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P).
Kalu said already the Governors from the South-East region had taken the front seat in the project of peace and security in the land, saying their efforts were highly commended by the PISE-P.
“I want to appreciate the South East Governors for the unflinching support and collaborative efforts with the Federal Government towards peace in the South East, and I want to mention the efforts of the Governor Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma; the Governor of Anambra, Mr. Charles Soludo; the efforts of the Governors of Enugu State; Ebonyi State and Abia State, my own State, Dr. Alex Otti.
“They are Governors and Ministers who have contributed to the remarkable milestones we have recognized so far. We are only here to help to assist and add our own effort to the work that you are doing so far, in our region. We are here to bring the voice of the Federal Government, the impact of the Federal Government, to bring the MDAs of the Federal Government to join the effort that you are making in the states, so that, together, we can have a peaceful region.
“Thank you, once again, all the organizations, agencies and individuals who have played a part in our collective pursuit of progress and development, I want to thank also the Members of the House of Representatives who are going to be nominating the locations for the establishment of these particular community enterprise digital hubs, please, as you do so, do not do it with bias; do it to reflect where the need of our people is the highest. Do your needs assessment,” he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the pilot project of the community enterprise digital hub would take off in Nimo Town, Njikoka LGA of Anambra State; Owo community, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State; Mgbom community at Afikpo in Ebonyi State; Bende community in Bende LGA, Abia State and Umunachi, Isiala/Mbano, in Imo State.
“NIGCOMSAT Ltd is fully committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace as a non kinetic tool for the insecurity. We are therefore, proud to deliver the pilot project to commence for the five states in the South-East,” she added.
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