SESSPN honours Wabote, Okonjo-Iweala, Udom, Duke, others

Tue, Mar 22, 2022

By editor

3 MIN READ

Politics

By Kennedy Nnamani

THE South East South South Professionals on Nigeria, SESSPN, has honoured Simbi Wabote; the executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwala; Director General, World Trade Organization, WTO, and SESSPN Global Ambassador, Gov. Emmanuel Udom; the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Donald Duke; former Governor of Cross River State and host Governor of SESSPN inaugural retreat and seven others. These awards were made during the Maiden 2022 honours nite of the association in Lagos.

The event, which was held to appreciate prominent citizens of these regions, who have made lots of socio-economic, cultural and political contributions and representations of the regions also witnessed the presentation of the updated Blueprint economic development agenda for the both regions.

Chaired by General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), the former Chief of Defense Staff of Nigeria, who also received an award, the event united and reunited citizens from the South East South South regions and representatives of the South West and Middle belt region, who wined and dined to the development of the country in all ramifications.

Hannibal Uwaifo, the President of the group, expressed optimism that the challenges faced in Nigeria are surmountable and that as an advocacy group and professionals from the two regions the group, is determined to lead in finding solutions to the problems.

He also criticized the Buhari-led administration, noting that the group reacted and engaged with polity due to the obvious lopsided appointment of the present administration.

“Issues of concern on which we reacted and engaged with the polity in the recent past include, but not limited to security breakdown, NNPC, corruption, police brutality, military-civil relations particularly the near militarization of the South East, NDDC, creating an economic blueprint for the rapid development of the South East South South regions, overview and update of the SESSPN developmental Agenda for the SESS called DASESS 2035, kidnappings and incessant killings all over the country, lopsided appointments by the Buhari administration and general maladministration in every sector of the Nigerian state,” he said.

“While it is obvious that the institutional breakdowns, social economic, political issues complained of having not been redressed or addressed, we remain resolute in pursuing the goals that enhance justice and fairness to our regions and to Nigeria generally,” he added.

While adding his voice to the call for South East South South region where citizens live, work and play, General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), called for more development in the regions, noting that the development of the regions through education will help engage the youths to be able to compete with their counterparts across the globe.

Other honourees are: Emmanuel Ijewere; Founding President, SESSPN, Emeka Ihedioha; Parliamentarian, Sam Ohuabunwa; Chairman, 2nd SE-SS Development Forum, Prof. Okey Oramah; President, AfreximBank and SESSPN Continental Icon, Uche Orji; CEO, NSIA and SESSPN National Icon.

There were also postmortem honourees: Late Chidi Izuwah; Co-Producer, DASESS 2035 Document, Late Albert Okumagba; Co-Producer, DASESS 2035 Document.