President Tinubu and Deputy Speaker Kalu praised for the swift enactment and constitution of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which addressed 54 years of marginalisation in the region.
The Chairman of the Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions Committee on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has commended President Bola Tinubu for taking a historic step toward addressing long-standing marginalization in the South East by establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Onuigbo also praised the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for his sponsorship and steadfast pursuit of the SEDC establishment bill into becoming law. He emphasized that the President’s move signified a reversal of decades of neglect that followed the devastating Nigerian civil war and marked a significant milestone in the region’s history.
Onuigbo noted that the SEDC embodies the long-overdue fulfillment of the promises of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Reintegration (the “Triple Rs”), which had been neglected by successive governments since their proclamation more than 54 years ago. He described President Tinubu’s action as a “sensitive and historical gesture” aimed at healing the deep scars left by the war.
“In all honesty, President Tinubu deserves special thanks from the people of the South East. For over half a century, the region has endured infrastructure despoliation, social disconnection, and economic tribulation as remnants of the civil war. By signing the SEDC bill into law and constituting its leadership, the President has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the wounds of the past and restoring trust,” Onuigbo stated.
“By signing the South East Development Commission establishment bill into law and following it up with the constitution of its members, the President has equipped the commission to intervene in a special way to address the wounds of the past through psychological healing.
“The SEDC has come to remove the nagging feelings of distrust and socio-economic marginalization among the people of South East. For rising to this historical challenge, special thanks should go to President Tinubu.” Onuigbo added
The former two-term representative of Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency called on the pioneer members of the SEDC, led by former Minister of Labour and Productivity Dr. Emeka Wogu, to work diligently to lay a solid foundation for the commission. He urged them to focus on achieving milestones that would restore the South East to its historical reputation as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s landmark legislation on the Climate Change in the 9th National Assemby which earned him induction into Nigeria’s inaugural Most Valuable Parliamentarians (MVP) Hall of Fame, also lauded the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, particularly Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC Abia), for their pivotal role in ensuring the passage of the SEDC bill.
He described the legislation as a testament to Kalu’s dedication and leadership, noting that guiding such impactful legislation through the legislative process requires significant effort.
“As one who sponsored the Climate Change Act 2021, I know the rigours, hurdles, and challenges of working any piece of impactful legislation through the various processes up to the signing stage. On this score, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu has justified his position as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and as a focused leader,” he added.
Onuigbo further appealed to South East leaders, stakeholders, and residents, both at home and in the diaspora, to rally behind the commission and ensure its success. He stressed that collective support for the commission would be the most fitting way to show gratitude to President Tinubu for this historic gesture.
“The success of the SEDC will be a sign of appreciation to President Tinubu for breaking the jinx and delivering this long-awaited intervention. It’s now up to the South East people to work together and ensure that the commission achieves its mandate,” he remarked.
The SEDC establishment Act was created to address among other things, “to receive and manage funds from allocations of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region during the civil war, as well as tackle the ecological problems and other related environmental cum developmental challenges in the South East states,”
The commission, first proposed during the 6th National Assembly, faced numerous setbacks in the 8th and 9th Assemblies before being passed and signed into law by President Tinubu in July 2024. The President has since forwarded the names of the commission’s governing board members to the Senate for screening and confirmation, signaling the start of a new era for the South East.
According to Onuigbo, the establishment of the SEDC is coming at a time when Nigeria’s independence national anthem has been reinstated. “The people of South East can now boldly sing and believe that the journey to building a nation, ‘where no one is oppressed,’ has begun.” he remarked
