The leadership of the “Southeast Leaders of Thought” has condemned what it discribed as multimedia conspiracy against the leadership, management and boards of the Southeast Development Commission by some vested interests who do not mean well for the region.
While reacting to sponsored feature story in some media outlets designed to create credibility crisis against SEDC, the group said, campaign of calumny and sensational media reports against the commission will not deter it from delivering developmental projects to the people.
In a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday by the group’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Innocent Edwin, the organization said, contrary to what some news outlets and their sponsors are trying to sell to Nigerians about SEDC, the commission has since hit the ground running with unprecedented achievements within it’s first one hundred days.
Noting that since its inception, SEDC has established coherent and strategic direction, defined by programmatic focus that resulted in the building of functional administrative backbone with offices in Enugu, Abia, and Abuja.
Key initiatives launched in this period include the South East Investment Company (SEIC), which was designed to drive bankable regional projects with a $1 billion asset base target.
Floating of a $50million South East Venture Capital Fund to support startups and inclusive innovation and SEGRID as well as grassroots sports and youth development initiatives.
Institutional momentum has been matched by stakeholder alignment through virtual public sessions.
The Commission has engaged with all five South-east governors, over 30 federal ministries and agencies, key development finance institutions, organised private sector leaders, academic institutions, and more than 1,000 citizens.
Already, 3,500 volunteers have registered to support SEDC’s mission in the region.
Within this period, the commission has launched three impactful programmes which are; the South East Investment Company (SEIC), a special purpose vehicle designed to move regional projects from concept to bankability with a target asset base of $1 billion by 2035; and a $50 million South East Venture Capital Program to fuel start-ups and inclusive innovation.
Another one is the South East Grassroots Recreation Infrastructure Development (SEGRID) initiative, which seeks to restore youth development and sports infrastructure across communities — Phase One is already in motion.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Mark Okoye II, the commission’s Managing Director said, “The last 100 days reflect our shared commitment to turning President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into real, lasting change for the South-east region.”
His word: “I am deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting me with this role and to the thousands of volunteers who have rallied around this cause.”
“Together, we are building not just an institution, but a movement, one rooted in vision, driven by collaboration and destined to shaping a future we can all be proud of for the South East.”
“Looking ahead, the South East Development Commission now shifts its focus to full-scale program implementation, deepening its engagement with state governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.”
“With a long-term ambition to catalyse a $200 billion regional economy by 2035, the Commission enters its next phase with clarity, purpose and a sense of urgency to deliver tangible results, empower communities, and unlock the full potentials of the region.”
With all these achieved just within 100 days in office, I wonder which planet those elements accusing the commission of docility comes from?
Be that as it may be, SEDC remanins committed to renewing the hope of the Southeast region irrespective what some nay sayers and some vested interest groups are doing.
The Southeast Leaders of Thought remains resolute in it’s backbone supports for the commission and to ensuring that the people of the zone have a new breathe of life.
Signed:
Mr. Innocent Edwin,
Director of Public Communications,
Southeast Leaders of Thought
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
