Former Lawmaker Commends President Tinubu For Creating Commission

A Former Member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Mr Sam Onuigbo, has said that the President, Bola Tinubu deserves special thanks for empaneling the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Mr Onuigbo who is also the Chairman, Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions Committee on the Governing Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC), disclosed this in a press statement in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.

He noted that by expeditiously assenting to the bill for the creation of SEDC after its checkered passage by the 10th National Assembly, the President did what other Nigerian leaders before him could not do.

Onuigbo, also noted that the SEDC has unique and specialized roles to play to fulfill the region after the intense devastations of the civil war.

“In all honesty, President Tinubu deserves special thanks from the people of South East, because for more than half a century, the scars of the civil war remained with us in terms of infrastructure despoliation, social disconnection and economic tribulation.“

“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.” He said.

He therefore charged the pioneer members of SEDC to work with unity of purpose to lay a solid foundation for the commission by achieving great milestones.

The Former Lawmaker also urged the members to do all in their powers to reenact the past global rating of South East as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Mr Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s landmark legislation on the Climate Change in the 9th National Assembly, said the leadership and members of the 10th National Assembly equally deserve a pat in the back for rolling out the SEDC law.

He stressed that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, succeeded in writing his name in gold by that momentous legislation.

“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 explained.

According to him “South East interventionist commission was coming more than 54 years after a proclamation to address the promises of the triple Rs- Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Reintegration-which were virtually abandoned by successive military and civilian administrations.”

He however appeal to the leaders, stakeholders, Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora, and residents in the South-East geopolitical zone to join hands and support the Emeka Wogu-led members of the Governing Board of the commission to succeed.

In July 2024 Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu sign the South East Development Commission establishment bill into law.

The President recently forwarded the names of members of the SEDC, to be headed by the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Emeka Wogu, to the Senate for screening and possible confirmation.