by Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
In the tumultuous landscape of the South-East region of Nigeria, where echoes of separatist sentiments have given rise to heightened tensions, the Honorable Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has emerged as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change.
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His visionary peace initiative in the region deserves commendation for its potential to usher in a new era of tranquility and prosperity.
In recent times, the South East has grappled with security challenges, largely exacerbated by the alleged activities of separatist groups such as the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The ongoing prosecution of IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has further heightened tensions and fueled a sense of unrest in the region.
It is against this backdrop that Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s peace initiative emerges as a timely and commendable endeavor.
The Deputy Speaker’s commitment to fostering peace in the South East is not only a testament to his leadership acumen but also a recognition of the urgent need to address the root causes of discontent in the region. By initiating dialogues and engagement with various stakeholders, including community leaders, religious figures, and representatives of diverse groups, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has set the stage for a comprehensive and inclusive peace-building process.
The potential gains from the success of the peace initiative are multifaceted and far-reaching. First and foremost, peace in the South East would mean an end to the cycle of violence and insecurity that has plagued the region. The restoration of a secure environment is a prerequisite for economic development, as businesses can thrive, investments can flow, and citizens can go about their daily lives without fear.
Moreover, the successful resolution of tensions in the South East would contribute significantly to national unity. Nigeria, with its diverse ethnicities and cultures, thrives when different regions collaborate for the collective good. A peaceful South-East would foster stronger inter-regional ties, enhancing the overall stability of the nation.
Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s peace initiative also holds the promise of unlocking the immense potential for socio-economic development in the South East. With a conducive environment, the region can attract investments, spur entrepreneurship, and harness its human capital for sustainable growth. Infrastructure projects can flourish, educational institutions can thrive, and healthcare services can reach new heights, all contributing to an improved quality of life for the people of the South East.
Additionally, the restoration of peace would provide an opportunity for constructive political engagement. Rather than resorting to separatist sentiments, the people of the South East can channel their aspirations through democratic processes, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed within the framework of a united Nigeria.
Honorable Benjamin Kalu’s peace initiative in the South East is a commendable stride towards healing the wounds of discord and paving the way for a brighter future. As the Deputy Speaker continues to champion dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation, it is our hope that his efforts will not only yield immediate results in terms of peace but will also sow the seeds for sustainable development, unity, and progress in the South East and the entire nation.
The success of this initiative rests not just on the shoulders of one man but on the collective will and commitment of all stakeholders involved. It is a journey worth taking for the well-being of the people and the prosperity of the region.
At the center of the peace initiative is the Peace In the Southeast Project (PISE-P), which was officially launched on Friday, December 29. It is aimed at using non-kinetic approaches to tackle insecurity in the Southeast. The epoch-making event held in Abia State was heralded by an elaborate reception of the Deputy Speaker by his constituents in Bende.
December 29, 2023, witnessed the formal unveiling of the Peace in the Southeast Project (PISE-P) and the homecoming reception of the Deputy Speaker.
Organized by the team of PISE-P with the support of the people of Bende, the constituents of the Deputy Speaker, the event was a demonstration of unwavering appreciation to the Deputy Speaker, who has shown love and commitment to the development of his people, the people of the southeast, and Nigeria in general.
The unveiling of PISE-P marked not only the formal Declaration of Peace in the Southeast but also the beginning of a movement for a New South East. This movement embodies massive campaigns structured to resonate with the collective vision in PISE-P for peace to return to this region.
With passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to this project, people of like minds under the leadership of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, have resolved to amplify their voices for the insecurity in Igboland to be solved through a non-kinetic strategy.
This quest for peace initiated by the Deputy Speaker, thankfully, has been embraced by all and sundry, including the South East Governors. We were excited when the governors of the five South-East states declared that peace was cardinal to the economic development and progress of the region. Their declaration came on the heels of the unveiling of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday, December 29, 2023, by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
The project seeks non-kinetic means of resolving the security challenges in the region. The declaration was made before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the unveiling ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
On behalf of his colleagues, the chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, said that they were all for peace in the region. He said, “The events of 2021 to date have created untold insecurity in the region. It’s worrisome to all of us, those living at home and diaspora, and our brothers and sisters from all zones in the country. “The governors of the South East region, working with Ohanaeze, held a security summit in Owerri, where it was resolved to do everything possible to bring peace to the region and stem the prevalence of insecurity in the region. “Consequent upon that, our brother, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as part of the programmes marking his homecoming, initiated this peace project. “It’s a welcomed idea that must be commended. Anything that will bring peace to the Southeast is welcomed. I commend him for this brilliant idea and efforts put in. We southeast governors commend him.”
On his part, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, who read the Bende Peace Declaration, said the governors and the people of the South-East were all for peace in the region. “We, the people of the South-East, hereby declare that peace is what we stand for as a region. We declare peace for prosperity. Peace for progress. “We stand for peace in the Southeast as a catalyst that will drive growth in all sectors of the economy and rekindle the confidence of future generations. We declare that peace is better. Udo ka nma,” Otti stated.
The Deputy Speaker has also weighed in on the continuous incarceration of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi, whose detention is at the epicentre of insecurity in the region and was responsible for the Monday sit-at-home orders that have paralyzed economic development in the region.
The Deputy Speaker has revealed that significant efforts are currently underway for the release of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
Speaking virtually on the “South East Political Roundtable,” a current affairs radio programme on FLO FM in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, recently, Kalu said that talks were actively ongoing to secure Kanu’s freedom.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu urged the youth of the South East to cease the observance of sit-at-home orders, noting that this practice has been intimidating potential investors who aim to contribute to the region’s development.
Discussing the positive impacts of the recently launched Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P) in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, he encouraged those carrying arms to disarm and join the non-violent approach advocated by the initiative to address security challenges and other community concerns.
We support Kalu’s commendable efforts to restore peace in the South East and rejuvenate the economy of the region that had been in doldrums for the last few years.