South East Development Commission,SEDC: Putting The Records Straight
A Visionary Leader: Rt.Hon.Benjamin Kalu’s Crusade For South East Development
In a region long neglected and marginalized, a beacon of hope has emerged in the person of Rt.Hon.Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja-Nigeria.
His tireless efforts to champion the course of the South East region have culminated in the signing into law of the South East Development Commission, SEDC, bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This essay explores the significance of this landmark legislation and the leadership qualities that have made Rt. Hon.Kalu, a legislative champion of the people of Nigeria and Ndi-Igbo.
I have been one of the fiercest critique of our leaders especially those holding political power in trust for the citizens.
Rt.Hon.Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives has been on the receiving end of my countless but constructive criticisms which are aimed in making them embark on people’s oriented projects and policies such as the establishment of South East Development Commission, SEDC, which he championed .
The above is one of the reasons there was so much joy and celebration when the bill was passed and signed into law by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.
I wish to state here that the passage and signing of this bill into law is beyond and above partisan interest.
The Deputy Speaker deserves commendation.
For making South East Development Commission a reality,I hereby call for standing ovation for Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu by Ndi-Igbo all over the world .
I wish to also use this opportunity to advise any other person who might be tempted to claim the glory of the signing into law of South East Development Commission because of it’s well acceptability all over the South East to desists forthwith and look for another project or agency to attract to South East.
South East Development Commission is the brain child of Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu and posterity and history shall be kind to him for this .
I will advise Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu to also go a step further to synergies with other Igbo leaders to appoint only credible Ndi-Igbo to head and lead the Commission so that they will hit the ground running from day one and achieve the goals and objectives of the commission.
THE NEED FOR SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION:
Apart from the total destruction of South East during the Nigeria/Biafra Civil war by the Nigeria Army, South East Region of Nigeria has long been plagued by underdevelopment, infrastructure decay, and economic stagnation.
Despite its rich cultural heritage and human resources, the region has been marginalized and excluded from the mainstream of national development.
The consequences have been dire: poverty, unemployment, and social unrest.
It was against this backdrop that Hon. Kalu introduced the South East Development Commission bill, a visionary legislation aimed at addressing the region’s developmental challenges.
THE BILL : A PANACEA FOR SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT:
The South East Development Commission bill is a comprehensive legislation that seeks to establish a commission to oversee the development of the region.
The commission will be responsible for coordinating and implementing development projects, attracting investments, and promoting economic growth.
The bill also provides for the establishment of a fund to support the commission’s activities.
This legislation is a panacea for the region’s developmental challenges, as it provides a framework for addressing the region’s infrastructure, economic, and social needs.
CONCLUSION
The signing into law of the South East Development Commission bill by President Tinubu is a testament to Hon. Ben Kalu’s leadership qualities and his commitment to the course of his people.
This legislation has the potential to transform the South East region and address its developmental challenges.
As the region begins to experience the benefits of this legislation, Hon. Kalu’s legacy as a champion of his people will be cemented.
His leadership qualities serve as a model for other leaders to emulate, and his vision for the South East region will continue to inspire generations to come.
Finally,this piece is not a guarantee that if the deputy speaker err in the near future, that he will escape opprobrium from us .
Prince Mike Akubueze Asaigbo,
Executive Director, Justice and Equity Group Nigeria,
Friday,13th September, 2024.
