Ohanaeze, SEDC partner on economic development in Igboland

By Anayo Okoli

ENUGU — Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) have commenced collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable economic development and regional integration in the South-East.

The partnership, being championed by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Igbo Business Leaders led by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, is expected to create opportunities capable of reducing youth unemployment and other social challenges confronting the region.

Speaking during a meeting in Enugu, Chairman of the Council of Igbo Business Leaders, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, stressed the need for Ndigbo to prioritise investments in the South-East region.

“Our region has suffered so much over a long time, combined with several other historical, political, social and economic factors,” he said.

Ohuabunwa explained that the council’s mandate includes identifying and mentoring young Igbo entrepreneurs for large-scale business ventures, creating a unified voice for the business community in Igboland, and promoting the development of markets across the region.

He called for stronger synergy between the council, the SEDC and other stakeholders to drive economic transformation in the South-East.

“This is the opportunity we long wished for. I must thank Mr Mark Okoye for responding quickly to our letter and the board and management for approving this meeting,” he stated.

According to him, the council reviewed its terms of reference and concluded that its primary responsibility was to work with governments and regional development agencies to advance economic growth and improve living conditions in Igboland.

“The first assignment of the council was to review the terms of reference, and after exhaustive debate it became clear to us that what Ohanaeze Ndigbo essentially wants us to do is to work with governments in our region and with agencies charged with regional development to support enhanced economic development in Igboland,” he said.

Ohuabunwa lamented what he described as years of neglect in the South-East, noting that the situation had contributed to rising youth unemployment and increasing social problems.

“Our people have been widely dispersed all over Nigeria where they have made significant contributions to the social and economic development of those regions.

“Over time, it has resulted in apparent neglect of our region in terms of economic and social development. Youth unemployment became rife and there have been troubling upticks in social malfeasance,” he added.

He explained that the council intended to guide Igbo investors seeking opportunities in the South-East and ensure alignment with the investment plans and policies of state governments and the SEDC.

“We need to understand the investment plans and policies of the state governments and the South East Development Commission so that we can correctly represent the issues and guide against misinformation or mischief,” he said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SEDC, Mark Okoye, thanked the council for the initiative and called for deeper collaboration to reposition the region economically.

Okoye urged the council to leverage its business network and expertise to support investment mobilisation, diaspora engagement, venture capital development, small and medium-scale enterprises, capacity building and policy advisory initiatives across the South-East.

The post Ohanaeze, SEDC partner on economic development in Igboland appeared first on Vanguard News.