PISE – P: Tinubu, Uzodinma, Obi of Onitsha, Emirs of Kano, others Unveil Peace Logo in Southeast

Peace in the South East Project (PISE – P), The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu says he is determined to utilize all available resources to ensure lasting peace in the region.

The President stated this while unveiling the Logo of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE – P), a strategic platform for the restoration of peace in the South East region envisioned by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

The unveiling was part of activities to mark the civic reception, thanksgiving & homecoming by the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu by his Bende people held at Bende Sports Field.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima said, “We know that the South East has weathered too many storms but the current economic stagnation has shaken the foundation of this beautiful region and we are not going to sit back and watch the fire go beyond where we can’t reach. We are here to extinguish the fire permanently”

He commended the convener of the peace project, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu and said that he is in tune with the realities in the region and in achieving an enduring peace. He noted that the South East geopolitical zone serves as an enduring economic power house which needs to be restored to its former glory.

Declaring the South East peace resolution, the host Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR said the people are happy to have Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu as their son in Abia State.

“We, the people of South East hereby declare that peace is what we stand for as a region. We declare peace for prosperity, we declare peace for progress. We stand for peace in the South East 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 kama’, made this day, the 29th of December, 2023 at Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, South East Nigeria before the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, help me God!”

Speaking on behalf of his brother Governors, the Chairman South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma commended Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu for the brilliant idea of the peace project for the South East, saying that anything that would bring peace to the South East is very dear to Ndigbo.

He said the Governors of South East in liaison with Ohanaeze Ndigbo has convoked a security summit to bring peace into the region following the security threats that started in 2021 adding “in recognition to that spirit, our brother, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, as part of programmes marking his homecoming has also initiated this programme of peace project. It is indeed, a very welcome idea which must be commended.”

In his goodwill message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said the event is important because the peace of the South East Zone is by extension, the peace and progress of the entire Nigeria. He said that Rt. Hon. Kalu’s effort to restore peace in the region is noble and well intentioned, maintaining that it is borne out of deep love and profound concern over the rise of insecurity which has affected the region negatively.

By Sampson Uhuegbu