The House of Representatives member representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Rep. Chike Okafor has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission Bill into law.
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu signed into law bills to create the North West Development Commission (NWDC), sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; and the South East Development Commission (SEDC), sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other members of the House of Representatives from the South East.
L-R : Rep Chike Okafor and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu
Okafor, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, described the signing of the SEDC Bill as a pivotal moment in the history of Ndigbo.
The lawmaker said in a personally signed statement issued on Friday in Abuja, that the enactment of the law signified the fulfilment of the promise of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reconciliation announced at the end of the civil war in 1970.
He expressed optimism that the South East Development Commission will catalyse accelerated development in the geo-political zone. The lawmaker, therefore, called on the people of the zone to fully support and take ownership of the Commission.
“At the end of the civil war, General Yakubu Gowon declared no victor, no vanquished, more importantly, he declared a period of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reconciliation for Ndigbo. However, it took 54 years to enact legislation to make the 3Rs declaration a workable policy.
“By signing the South East Development Commission Bill into law, President Bola Tinubu is telling the world that Ndigbo are now fully reconciled with other peoples of Nigeria. For the Commission, I have confidence that it would contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the South-East region, especially with the support of the people”, he said.
Okafor also commended the Deputy Speaker for taking the lead by sponsoring the bill and ensuring its passage.
According to Okafor: “The Deputy Speaker deserves every commendation for this display of leadership and service which has seen a long-held dream of our people come to fruition, look at what he has used this position to get for Ndigbo in just one year as a presiding officer.
“I know much more is coming from him as he selflessly uses his position and cordial relationship with the leadership of the nation to bring the dividends of democracy to the South-East geopolitical zone. With President Tinubu’s fair disposition to all zones and the Deputy Speaker’s altruism, I dare say that there are better days ahead for Ndigbo under the Tinubu government.”
