The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has said that peace is necessary for progress, growth and development of the Southeast region of the country.
Kalu stated this when he received in his office, a delegation from the National Burial Committee of the late Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, CON, a former Governor of Anambra State, who died on December 14, 2023, at the age of 85.
He lamented the rising insecurity in the southeast, stressing that peace is the only way to make progress and industrialise the region.
While recalling the impressive life and times of the late Okwadike, the Deputy Speaker stated that the indigenes must be interested in the peace of the region because it’s the only way to sustain Ezeife’s legacies.
Reeling out plans to achieve the much-needed peace and progress, Kalu recalled the flag off of the Peace in the South East Project, an initiative and a non-political movement that employs a non-kinetic approach to resolving the problems in the southeast.
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While expressing optimism that the bill, seeking the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission which recently passed through the first, second and third reading at the House of Representatives will also pass in the Senate for onward transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent, Kalu also called for support from Nigerians.
He noted that when the Bill becomes law, reconstruction will commence in the Southeast and funds from the Federal Government allocated to the commission will be well utilised for the purposes of rebuilding and post-war reconstruction that has not been attended to for over 50 years.
Peace in the southeast
Kalu expressed sadness at the demise of the late Okwadike. He assured the delegation of his support and that of his colleagues in the National Assembly to ensure that he was honoured and given a befitting burial.
“In recent times the southeast has come into the public domain for the wrong reasons. We are proud, courageous people not confused about our identity we know who we are. We build, we don’t destroy; give birth, we don’t slaughter children, we don’t kill our mothers, we don’t kill our brothers, we don’t sacrifice our fathers that was not what our forefathers bequeathed to us. Peace is the only way to make progress and industrialise.
“You may recall 29th of December we flagged off Peace in South East Project, a non-political movement using a non-kinetic approach to the resolution of our problems in the southeast because we are tired of using the sound of guns and barrels to slaughter South Eastern sons, which has not given us a lasting solution. We are saying come let us discuss together. Let us find an alternative resolution to our hydra-headed problems. We are not saying we don’t have problems, we are saying that there are other strategic approaches available for the reconciliation, for the rebuilding, for the reconstruction that we’re looking for.
“The Southeast Development Commission passed the first reading, second reading and third reading. A great feat, that didn’t survive the 7th assembly, 8th assembly and ninth assembly. It is a thing of hope that through that particular platform, reconstruction will commence in the Southeast.
“It is really sad and painful that a few months ago, we lost our dear brother and elder Statesman. Although it’s difficult to come to terms with his passing, we are grateful for the time he spent on earth and the legacy he left behind. Okwadike’s story demonstrates the limitless success that determination and work ethics can achieve, even in the face of the harshest circumstances. He was a man who never let his earlier circumstances in life dictate his eventual status. Growing up, I was thrilled by his drive and capacity to inspire. For me and a good number of us, his achievements and various milestones are matters of courage and supremacy of the human spirit. May his soul rest in peace.” Kalu said.
Earlier, the delegation led by its Chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo congratulated Kalu on his emergence as the Deputy Speaker, saying that he’s a sagacious and intelligent leader who has discharged his responsibility creditably.
While soliciting his support for the upcoming burial of the elder Statesman, Nwodo said, “We felt that the first duty of this National Burial Committee will be to pay a courtesy visit. Not only because you deserve it as our political leader, but because you’re leading us well. We wish to brief you about the plans we are making to honour our late colleague and friend, elder statesman, Okwadike Igboukwu, His Excellency Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
“We are celebrating his life. We are looking forward to you and members of the House of Representatives and Senate to honour him that day. It will be a day of celebration. We want to partner with you, to lead this whole exercise. We want to inaugurate this committee on Thursday and we hope you will find time to be there.”
Emmanuel Ukoh
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