Barely 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission, SEDC bill into law, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, RT. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on his Igbo kinsmen to stop agitation.
At a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Deputy Speaker also urged the people of the region and Nigerians entirely, to shun the proposed nationwide protest, saying, nothing could be achieved through kinetic approaches to issues of governance.
“To my fellow south easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti government protest. Instead, let us view the signing of the South East Development Commission bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumors of the marginalization of the southeast geopolitical zone and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio cultural renewal.
“This is a time for unity. This is a time for progress. This is a time for peace, not division, not unrest. Unrest and division will divide us further and will under-develope us further. But in an atmosphere of peace and unity, the progress promised by our forefathers will be achieved.
“I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protests, but instead continue to trust in the process. Say no to protests. Say yes to the process, which involves policy formulations from government that is people centered, which the parliament have insisted on, that all policies of government must have the people at its center, believe in this process, not the protests, and we will be able to get the profit that this government has promised”, Kalu said.
The elated Deputy Speaker, called for more patience with Tinubu’s administration, while thanking the President for remembering the south east region, 54 years after the end of the civil war.
He said, “The reforms of this current administration will take time, no doubt, but it will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation, stabilization of the economy and ensuing multiplier effect in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialization and the outcomes of the work organizations like the SEDC, which is the South East Development Commission, will engineer in the coming days.
“With South East Development Commission, we will leverage to improve agriculture. Entrepreneurial skills will enable industrialization of the region and our innovative mindedness will leverage the opportunities in the digital economy.
“Our creativity will birth a greater cultural and entertainment platform, such as the Igbowood. Our youth and women demography will play a major role in the energy of our development. It is time to put our huge gap deposit in the region to use for industrial parks.
“The gas in our zone will aid these industrial parts that will bring value to the nation. Most of the radicalized youths in our region who have been crying because of the seeming rumors of marginalization and alienation from the center will now have jobs to engage them productively, among others.
“It is no more time to carry arms. It is now time to take up skills that will be stimulated by the South East Development Commission. This is a foundation for peace and security in the southeast. There is no better foundation than this.
“On behalf of the great people of the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the beating heart of the nation, the land of enterprise and entrepreneurship, let me express my deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Southeast Development Commission SEDC bill into law yesterday”
Speaking further, Kalu said, “This victory is a true example that a lot can be achieved quietly through lobbying, negotiation for what is good for your people. With negotiation, diplomacy and lobbying, not conflict and protest, we can achieve a lot more from this government.
“I wish to thank the Governors of the five states of the southeast and to congratulate them for their support towards this bill. It is momentous because it is happening during their tenure and their states and her citizens will be the beneficiaries of these magnanimous acts of the President who loves the southeast. Let us remember that our strength lies in our shared dreams and collective effort.
“In conclusion, let us remember that in unity, our shared dreams and visions will become a mission. And same goes for our collective efforts. Together we can build a Nigeria that offers every child a decent shot at life.
“Where the doors of opportunities remain open to all, we know we can do better. We are aware that we will. And with South East Development Commission, the long cry of our forefathers who died hoping for reconciliation, the true reconciliation, the true reintegration, the true reconstruction, the true rehabilitation will have been achieved.
“In South East Development Commission, a lot of multiple questions have been answered. Say no now to agitation. Say no now to conflict. Say no now to crisis and protest. Let us support this government”.
Recall that President Tinubu granted ascent to a Bill for an Act to establish South East Development Commission yesterday.
The Bill sponsored by Hon. Kalu, sought to establish a commission that will be charged with the responsibility to receive and manage fund from allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.