Eze Okpoko Oba decries South East woes, challenges SECDA on repositioning of region

Photo 1 : HRM Igwe Eze Engr.A.C. Emelobe ( m) and members of his cabinet in a group photograph with SECDA team

Photo 2 : HRM Igwe Engr A.C. Emelobe ( m) with SECDA team members by his right is Engr. Isidore Ehochi, the team leader, Lolo Ifeoma Eke-Njoku, Head Finance and Administration while his left is Engr. Collins Uzoh, the Anambra State Coordinator and High Chief Everest Ezihe, ( Akaekpuchionwa) the Head of Media. Pix by Everest Ezihe, Oba.

From Everest Ezihe, Oba

Worried by neglect and marginalization of South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, HRM Igwe Engr. Augustine Emelobe, Igwe Eze Okpoko11 of Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has added his voice in decrying the litany of socioeconomic woes the region is being subjected to by the Federal Government.

Igwe Emelobe disclosed this in his master piece architectural designed golden ancestral Palace in Oba over the weekend when the leadership of South East Communities Development Association, SECDA, a non governmental organization championing a course for accelerated development, transformation and realistic integration of the region in Nigeria projects, led by Engr. Isidore Ehochi paid him a courtesy cum solidarity visit.

He applauded the Federal Government for the establishment of the South East Development Commission and Federal Ministry of Regional Developments, pointing out that the Commission and the Ministry are in the positions to fast track the needed developments of the geopolitical area .

The reverred traditional ruler who’s a Chemical Engineer by profession and a senior citizen with Chevron Nigeria PLC also observed that the region is the highest importer and exporter of goods and services in Nigeria, yet it neither has seaport nor dignified International Cargo Airport just as they have crude oil and solid minerals without refinery.

The first class Royal Father further lamented that, “despite the importance of agriculture in the global economy, that the governments of South East States pays lip services to this all important sector in the 21st century as exemplified in their yearly budgetary allocations and implementation to agricultural sectors”.

He also canvassed on the need for SECDA to have periodical developmental plans for the South East Governor’s, based on reaching out to other interest groups and researched needs of the people and communities, which he passionately advised on the need for the State governments patriotic leadership and logical implementations.

Igwe Emelobe further commended SECDA for their patriotic and developmental initiatives passion, while reiterating on the need for the group to invest on community research, especially as it concerns the actual needs assessment and aspirations of each of the autonomous communities within the region, so as to guarantee relevant developmental initiatives for each of the communities within the region.

He equally insisted on the need for the leadership of SECDA to convince the critical stakeholders in South East that their mission is apolitical but rather compassionate inclusive objective to develop the region, in line with the 21st century great expectations.

Earlier in his off hand address, Engr. Isidore Ehochi, said the essence of the courtesy cum solidarity visit is to passionately appeal to the foremost traditional ruler on the patriotic need for him to take over the Global Leadership of the Association (SECDA) based on his pedigree and antecedents in things concerning the region, while assuring him of maximum supports.

Ehochi informed that SECDA is a duly registered and incorporated organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria since 2014 with eminent Nigerians as distinguished trustees, among whom are late HRM Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme, OON; HRM Igwe Col. JOC Onebunne (Rtd); HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri; Eze Prof. MAC Odu; and others who have long been champions of community development, especially in South East, Nigeria.

He stated that as the Global President, that he would join hands and initiatives with the Executive members,National Patrons and the Governing Board of SECDA, in their efforts to strengthen the group’s operational backbone and ensure the effective implementation of her initiatives.

The team leader also informed that the investiture of the selected National Patrons has been scheduled to hold during the organization’s upcoming planned Regional Conference on the Development of South East Communities, with the theme:“Our Expectations from the South East Development Commission and the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.”

“This regional conference slated for Friday April 25th, 2025 in Enugu is particularly significant in light of the recent enactment and inauguration of the South East Development Commission and the Federal Ministry of Regional Development by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

“As a non-governmental organization and key stakeholder, SECDA is committed to monitoring and supporting the execution of the Commission’s and Ministry’s programs and projects within South East region.

“Providing a platform to ensure these federal bodies receive adequate budgeting and funding as well as mobilizing human and material resources from the various communities so as to drive sustainable regional development based on transparency, inclusiveness and accountability” he assured.

He further noted that given Igwe Emelobe exemplary leadership and notable contributions to community developments that the Association is confident that his sterling leadership qualities, experiences and network will be invaluable to the mission and vision of SECDA.

Igwe Eze Okpoko11 of Oba community who earlier commended SECDA team for the special visit and recognition, assured them that he will within a week respond to their passionate but patriotic appeal and enjoined them not to relent in the endeavor.

Among the SECDA team members that graced the occasion were High Chief Everest Ezihe, ( Akaekpuchionwa) the Head of Media, Lolo Ifeoma Eke-Njoku, Head Finance and Administration and Engr. Collins Uzoh, Anambra State Coordinator of SECDA while members of the Igwe in Council includes Chief Sam Onuchukwu, (Ichie Ifedinoba), Chief Edwin Arinze(Ichie Ejighiebunu), Rev. Chris Emelie(Akachukwu Global), Hon. Okey Aniam (Akaeze), Engr. Obi Obiasi(Private Secretary to Igwe), Cardinal Chukwujanwa (Public Opinion Leader) and Comrade Oluchukwu Osadebe,(Okwuruora).