South East Summit: Soludo Calls for Partnership, Proposes 100-year Development Plan

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has made it clear that Ndi Igbo needs Nigeria as Nigeria needs it and stated that the region cannot be built in isolation from the rest of the country and world.

Speaking at the South East Summit on Security and Economy at the Landmark Event Center, Owerri, in Imo State on Thursday, 28th September 2023, he stated that a 100-year plan for sustainable development is needed to achieve a prosperous region.

“For an itinerant people, we can’t be intolerant. We need Nigeria and Nigeria needs us. We need Africa and the world and they need us. We must act with the world in mind.”

While assuring that the South East Governors are committed to the agenda, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed that intense partnership is needed to actualize the goals of Ndi Igbo.

Emphasizing peace in the region, the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the just concluded election, Mr. Peter Obi stated that businesses will not thrive amid insecurity and called for support for the governors.

“Our mainstay as a people is business. Businesses will not thrive amid insecurity. We must support our Governors and other stakeholders as we all seek solutions to solve this problem that is affecting our region.”

Speaking also, the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala advised that Ndi Igbo can do better and urged for higher self-standards. 

She pointed out that the Budget statistics figure showed that some South Eastern states are doing relatively well, especially Ebonyi and Anambra State, but insisted that it is below expectation as the region should aim higher.

The former Finance Minister called on Governors to improve their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, utilize the FAAC and debt, and stated that infrastructural growth in the region has been poor.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala applauded the Former Minister of Power, Bath Nnaji on the Aba Geometric Power Plant and suggested Governors emulate him and exit the national grid.

The Summit which continues tomorrow had the presence of the Royal Father of the Day, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, among others.