The South-East representatives in the Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Hon. Sam Onuigbo has said peace and hunger are non-partisan, calling on the people of South East region.
He stated this in Ikwuano local government area of Abia State on Tuesday during the distribution of food items, a project of Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P) initiated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu to enhance peace in the region.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating readiness to ensure that peace thrives in the South East, saying as an appointee of the President, he also has a duty of ensuring peace.
He highlighted the importance of the food distribution. “Hunger is non-partisan. Growth is non-partisan. Development is non-partisan. Ultimately, peace is non-partisan. We must all remember this.
“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.
“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.”
Items distributed includes;100 cartoons of spaghetti , 100 pieces of wrapper, 250 bags of 10kg Rice ,5 bags of beans , 5 bags of garri, 2 cartoons of power oil and five hundred thousand naira (#500,000) cash gifts.
In appreciation for the gifts recieved by the 10 wards in Ikwuano LGA ,Hon Chief Tony Mpama said the people are ready to work together with the ruling party and that he believes in the leadership of Hon Sam Onuigbo which through him massive projects has been done.
Mpama further urged Onuigbo to put more effort to see that the Ikwuano ikot ekpene road will be completed, stressing that the people of Ikwuano will not be happy if the road is abandoned.
Speaking to newsmen Mr Umekwe Christian from Amuro Ibere ward1 said he is overwhelmed for the kind gesture of the government of President Tinubu’s administration adding that such project has not been done before and urged the government not to relent in their good works.
Mrs Ann Denis from obohia ibere ward 2, expressed her joy over the things that has been given to her and said she will train her children to be like Hon Sam Onuigbo.
Comrade Dickson Ajiri while speaking appreciated the federal government through the Deputy speaker Hon Benjamin Kalu for Introducing the project to embrace peace in the south East.
Ajiri further stated that empowerment should be included for the youths to help foster peace in the south east.
Those who graced the event include, Eng. Jack Okwuonu APC Stakeholder, Hon Chief Tony Mpama,Dr Emeremba ,Arch.Chris Nwosu, Okiyi Lawrence amongst others.