The Executive Director Corporate Services, Barr. Sylvester Okonkwo has said the official inauguration of the board of The South East Development Commission (SEDC), marked a new era of regional development.
He said the inauguration ceremony which held yesterday, marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s regional development landscape, setting the stage for integrated and transformative growth across the South East region of Nigeria.
Barr. Okonkwo in a statement commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to national unity and progress.
He said President Tinubu stands as the first Nigerian President to fulfill the promise of regional development, by establishing Commission for the South East region.
“This bold step not only honors long-standing aspirations, but further underscores the Federal Government’s dedication to balanced development across all regions of Nigeria.”
According to him, “The SEDC is not just an institution, it is a transformative platform for realizing the aspirations of millions of South Easterners in Nigeria and across the globe. To achieve this, collaborative teamwork within the Board and across all levels of SEDC administration is crucial. The Commission is geared towards harnessing the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of the South East region of Nigeria to create sustainable growth and prosperity.”
The Commission acknowledged the proactiveness and commitment of the current National Assembly, led by the Chairman, National Assembly and President of the 10th Senate H.E Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon.Dr Tajudeen Abbas, saying their facilitation and swift assent to the bill establishing the SEDC demonstrate a steadfast legislative drive for national development.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh in his keynote address emphasized that the mission of the SEDC stipulates that “The Commission has been entrusted with the responsibility to spearhead socio-economic growth in the South East, leveraging the region’s unique strengths while addressing critical development challenges. This Board embodies the expertise and vision needed to drive this mission forward.” He also called on international agencies, development partners and donors agencies to collaborate with the Commission in achieving its goals.
The Chairman of the Board Dr. Emeka Wogu in his remarks, stressed the importance of unity and strategic planning in the activities of the Commission.
He called for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that the Commission becomes a beacon of hope and progress for the South East region. “Our region stands at the threshold of unprecedented transformation and it is our collective duty to steer this Commission towards sustainable development and inclusive growth” he affirmed.
In a separate interview at the end of the event, Barr. Sylvester Okonkwo Executive Director Corporate Services SEDC extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Chairman, all SEDC Board members and the Executive Management Team led by MD/CEO Mr. Mark Okoye II on the landmark inauguration.
He emphasized the Commission’s unwavering commitment to adhering to the rules and regulations outlined in the Act establishing the Commission and the importance of fostering innovative practices that will drive the speedy achievement of SEDC’s mandate.
“The SEDC is not just an institution, it is a transformative platform for realizing the aspirations of millions of South Easterners in Nigeria and across the globe. To achieve this, collaborative teamwork within the Board and across all levels of SEDC administration is crucial. The Commission is geared towards harnessing the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of the South East region of Nigeria to create sustainable growth and prosperity.”
The Commission therefore, called on all stakeholders within the region including youth, women, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), religious leaders, private sector practitioners and South East diaspora to collaborate in realizing a shared vision of prosperity, unity and growth for the region.
