Representative of the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has said that peace is important for the development of the South-East. Onuigbo said this during the distribution of foodstuff to Ikwuano people as part of the Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P). 


The former National Lawmaker who stressed that: “Hunger is non-partisan. Growth is non-partisan. Development is non-partisan. Ultimately, peace is non-partisan. We must all remember this,” stated that the distribution of the foodstuff is across party lines and in line with the vision of the project initiator, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu (Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives), and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. 


According to Rep. Onuigbo, as President Tinubu’s appointee as the representative of the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), he has an additional responsibility to ensure that there is peace in the South-East and thus was grateful for the smooth takeoff of PISE-P. 


The 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change honoree used the opportunity to remind everyone that the South-East is a critical pillar for the development of Nigeria. Therefore, everything possible must be done to ensure that the immense potentials of the region are fully harnessed.


He thanked the Deputy Speaker and President Tinubu for their commitment to the peace and development of the South-East. 


The  full statement reads:


REMARKS BY REP. SAM ONUIGBO FCIS, FNIM, KJW, DURING THE PEACE IN SOUTH EAST PROJECT (PISE-P) DISTRIBUTION OF FOODSTUFF IN IKWUANO LGA, ABIA STATE, ON JANUARY 9, 2024.

[Protocol]


Thank you all for making out time to be here today. 


2. When the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the leader of our party in the South-East, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, initiated the Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P), I immediately aligned with it for two critical reasons: in my experience, peace is the core ingredient in the development of any place. Secondly, I am aware of the vision of Rt. Hon. Kalu and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the South-East and know that this project is key to attaining this vision. Additionally, as President Tinubu’s appointee as the representative of the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), I even have additional responsibility to ensure that there is peace in the South-East. I am therefore thankful that this project has taken off to a seamless start and cannot wait for our region to begin to reap its immense benefits. 


3. Hunger is non-partisan. Growth is non-partisan. Development is non-partisan. Ultimately, peace is non-partisan. We must all remember this. 


4. Let me be clear, the South-East is a critical pillar for the development of Nigeria. Therefore, we must do everything possible to ensure that we harness the immense potentials of the region and its people. 


5. Today, we are gathered here to distribute foodstuff to the great people of Ikwuano Local Government Area. This is an essential pillar of PISE-P and is in line with Mr. President’s commitment to ensuring food security in the country. Addressing the issue of hunger is a critical first step in dousing anger and consequently ensuring that violence is reduced and peace upheld. We are therefore committed to ensuring that the age-long Igbo tradition of whoever is best placed takes care of others in the community is revived and entrenched. 


6. I thank the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for initiating this. My gratitude also goes to all our partners and stakeholders in this important project. May God bless all of you. 


7. Finally, none of this will be possible without the blessing and love of the father of the country, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Mr. President’s commitment to a functional Nigeria where every region is an equal beneficiary and participant is truly commendable. I thank him from the bottom of my heart. 


8. Once again, thank you all for coming and may God bless us all.