The Executive Director of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development at the newly established Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), Dr. Clifford Ogbede, has pledged agricultural and economic revitalisation in the South East through the newly established commission.
Ogbede, who described the commission as a historic milestone for the region, hailed the establishment of SEDC as a long-overdue recognition of the Southeast’s need for federal intervention.
Speaking shortly after President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the SEDC governing board in Abuja on Tuesday, Ogbede expressed optimism about the commission’s role in addressing longstanding challenges in the Southeast.
According to him, the commission will help tackle key challenges such as ecological degradation, infrastructure deficits, and human capital development.
Read Also; Motherhood has stretched, refined me – Tonto Dikeh
“This is the first time that the Southeast is receiving such attention from the federal government,” he said. “For 54 years since the war, we have clamored for reintegration, and now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it a reality. It is like a century-long celebration for the Igbo people”, he said.
He noted that before the civil war, the Southeast had one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
“We had a roadmap for development, but for over five decades, it was truncated. Now, we have a fresh opportunity to rebuild and transform the region,” he stated.
When asked about plans to leverage agriculture for regional growth, Dr. Ogbede emphasised the need for strategic planning.
“We have a roadmap that we will unveil soon. Today, however, is a day to celebrate, to appreciate President Tinubu for making this happen,” he said. “But rest assured, we are committed to using this commission to make the Southeast a prosperous region.”
He identified key challenges, including environmental issues, security concerns, and high unemployment rates.
“We know the problems, but we also know our strengths. The Southeast is naturally entrepreneurial, and with this federal intervention, we will harness our potential for economic transformation.”
Dr. Ogbede assured that the commission would strictly adhere to its mandate as outlined in the act establishing the SEDC.
“The president has given us a clear directive to follow the act, and we will do so diligently,” he affirmed. “If we implement our plans effectively, we will see a revolutionised economy, massive job creation, industrialization, and improved infrastructure in the Southeast.”
He further revealed that the commission has developed a three-phase strategy: “We have what we call a quick win, a mid-term approach, and a long-term plan. But I believe that within one to two years, we will start seeing significant results.”
Dr. Ogbede also paid tribute to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, whose legislative efforts led to the establishment of the SEDC.
“He played a crucial role in ensuring this bill was passed and signed into law. Some doubted that the president would assent to it, but through his persistence, we now have a fully functional commission. We owe him a great deal of gratitude”, he added.