Fifty-five years after the civil war, the lingering effects of the war are still visible among the Igbo. Ndigbo, being the worst hit of the civil war, still bear scars from the war:
Ongoing displacement, poverty, trauma, environmental degradation, security concerns, infrastructural deficit and marginalisation are evidences.
At one time or the other, past Nigerian presidents made varying efforts to address the negative effects of the civil war on the Igbo people, but they all left limited impact. The most striking was the 3R sophistry by General Yakubu Gowon in January 1970. Gowon had assured the world that there would be Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Igboland as a result of the war ravages. But 54 years later, the South East has witnessed the direct opposite of the 3Rs, even in exponential proportions.
In a similar move, General Olusegun Obasanjo established the South East Development Initiative to address regional development challenges, but the challenges still persisted.
Alhaji Shehu Shagari made a corresponding effort in his launching of the Presidential Task Force on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for the sole purpose of addressing the civil war’s effects, but the impact was small scaled due to his short tenure in office.
Other efforts by General Ibrahim Babangida spanned across the introduction of the National Commission for Refugees, Displaced Persons and Rehabilitation to confront the plight of war-affected communities.
General Sabi Abacha came up with the National Council on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, while President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan launched the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peace in the Niger Delta, which included initiatives for the South East. He also established the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to promote education in the region.
President Muhammadu Buhari in his own dimension to tackle the region’s infrastructure deficit, began the construction of the Second Niger bridge, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and also formed the Presidential Committee on South East Initiative to handle the regional development challenges.
While these attempts were aimed to grapple with the negative effects of the civil war, they have been criticised for being inadequate, slow paced or politicised. The South East region still demands sustained attention and investment to fully handle the effects of the civil war. These were the pitfalls of past efforts to reposition the region.
None of the struggle by past national leaders could actualise the setting up of a South East Development Commission that will solely tackle the numerous challenges facing Ndigbo from education to healthcare, marginalisation, security, infrastructure, and others.
Several Igbo leaders had equally attempted to bring the South East Development Commission Bill to Law, but Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s efforts remained a phenomenon. Let me quickly give an overview of the actions of some of our Igbo representatives in actualising this course so you could appreciate better the leadership excellence of the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu in 2015 sponsored a Bill similar to the SEDC, but it didn’t pass the second reading. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in 2017 introduced a Bill, but it stalled due to lack of support. Governor Dave Umahi in 2018 advocated for a South East Development Commission, but his efforts were met with limited success. In 2019, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the highest socio-cultural organisation in Igboland, went a step higher in pushing for the actualisation of SEDC, but it did not gain traction.
Rt. Hon. Kalu in 2020 rewrote history by successfully sponsoring the SEDC Bill, which passed the second reading and was eventually passed into Law in 2024. This can only be likened to GRACE.
Interestingly, the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill to Law marks a significant milestone in the quest for regional development and growth. The groundbreaking legislation sponsored by the indefatigable Number 6 citizen of the country is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the welfare and progress of the region. The combination of President Bola Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker broke the over 54 years jinx with the SEDC Law.
President Tinubu has shown a major departure from the Buhari regime by signing the SEDC Bill into Law. This further shows his intention about the development of the South East region and his believe in building the nation in the fulcrum of fairness, equity and unity, hence his commitment to ensuring equitable development, inclusive governance and the provision of qualitative services to all Nigerians no matter where they reside while knitting more tightly together the national fabric.
Like the North East Development Commission, which brought tremendous transformation in the North East, especially on the area of humanitarian support, where Internally Displaced Persons and victims of insurgency were aided, education/healthcare support (schools and healthcare facilities are being built and upgraded), economic empowerment, through skills training, entrepreneurship support and job creations and initiatives, environmental remediation of areas in the region suffering ecological issue, pollution, among other interventions, the South East Development Commission will facilitate the development of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public buildings in the South East region. The commission can implement policies and programmes to boost economic growth, create jobs, and provide access to credit facilities for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Under education and healthcare, the SEDC can invest in education and healthcare infrastructure, improving access to quality education and medical care.
SEDC will address environmental degradation by cleaning up pollution, rehabilitating damaged ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices. The commission will ensure Ndigbo have a stronger voice in national politics and decision-making processes. It can promote and preserve Igbo language and culture, collaborating with security agencies to address insecurity challenges in the region, and manage special intervention funds to address specific regional challenges.
The South East Development Commission can foster economic integration and cooperation among southeastern states, addressing historical injustices and lingering issues from the civil war, such as rehabilitation of war-affected areas and compensation for victims.
While past efforts to reintegrate the Igbo people met minimal result, the SEDC, which covers the five eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, would go a long way to assuage the feelings of the Igbo with respect to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region, as well as tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or development challenges in the region. By addressing these issues, the SEDC would help to bridge the developmental gap, promote economic growth, and improve the overall well-being of Ndigbo.
The key point of discussion is that the South East Development Commission stands out from previous initiatives as it incorporates vital elements that guarantee its long-term viability and successes such as:
Legislative Backing: The commission is legislatively backed, giving it a strong legal foundation and authority to operate.
Structured approach: SEDC has a clear structure, mandate, and funding mechanism, ensuring a systematic approach to development.
Regional focus: The commission is specifically focused on the South East region, addressing its unique challenges and needs.
Inclusive representation: It has a board comprising representatives from each South East state, ensuring diverse perspectives and regional buy-in.
Comprehensive scope: The commission’s mandate covers various aspects, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development.
Sustained commitment:SEDC is designed to be a long-term initiative, ensuring consistent effort and progress.
Community engagement:It encourages community participation and ownership, fostering grassroots support and inclusivity.
Accountability mechanisms:It has built-in accountability mechanisms, ensuring transparency and effective use of resources.
Past efforts, while well-intentioned, often lacked one or more of these elements, limiting their impact and sustainability. The SEDC law addresses these gaps, providing a robust framework for meaningful reintegration and development.
At this juncture, it won’t be out of place if I say that Rt. Hon. Kalu is not playing politics of rice and wrappers, but diving into the mainstream of governance, which goes beyond just touching the lives of an individual or group of people. Myopic critics would seek for mere empowerment for a set of people, but a strategic thinker seeks for lasting avenues that could create endless opportunities for the entire region. He has created a platform for coordinated development, empowering the region to unlock its vast potential.
What no past Igbo leader achieved, Ben Kalu broke the jinx. He made a historic achievement that can positively impact the lives of millions, leaving a lasting legacy. He prioritised the region’s interest over his personal gain and has established a precedent for future leaders to follow, encouraging them to prioritise regional development.
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BOK, as he is fondly called by friends, has demonstrated foresight and understanding of the needs of his region with an unwavering commitment, which showed dedication and perseverance in pushing for the Bill’s passage despite potential obstacles. This goes to remind me of the words of Zig Ziglar: “With hardwork and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
His suave, assertive, sagacious, outspoken and visionary dispositions were high points in achieving the South East Development Commission and they remain a very inspiring and veritable source of hope for Ndigbo. Indeed, Kalu is a beacon of hope and a pillar of transformation for the South East region. The South East Development Commission, a long-awaited initiative, decades in the making, was finally brought to fruition by Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu and his team.
