Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Orlu Progressive Initiative has urged people of the South East to embrace peace and dialogue, to check insecurity and other challenges facing them.
Mr Ikechukwu Nwabueze, Executive Director of the group, made the call on Wednesday in Abakaliki during the South East Peace and Stability Summit.
Nwabueze, who is the convener of the summit, said the zone must embrace unity and collaboration to create a prosperous future.
“The people must commit themselves to build a region defined by stability, innovation and shared progress.
“This will make peace and economic progress the zone’s identify.”
He regretted that insecurity among other challenges facing the zone have hindered its development and exacerbated poverty.
“This has also widened inequality, threatened the livelihood of millions despite the zone’s rich cultural heritage.
“The problems have also stifled the zone’s growth, vast economic potential and strategic significance in trade.”
Nwabueze urged leaders and stakeholders of the zone to adopt a holistic approach to address its pressing concerns.
“Security, economic revitalisation and infrastructural development must be prioritised.
“Government alone cannot bear this responsibility as they require collective efforts of policy makers, traditional and religious institutions among others.”
