By Leonard Okachie
A former federal lawmaker, Chief Sam Onuigbo, has lauded the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, for his Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P) initiative.
Onuigbo represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency between 2015 and 2023.
He made the commendation in Obuohia Ibere during the distribution of foodstuffs and wrappers to the people of Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia.
The items were donated to the LGA by the deputy speaker through PISE-P.
Onuigbo thanked Kalu for the initiative and said that peace remains a prerequisite for the development of the zone.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, inaugurated PISE-P at the headquarters of Bende LGA on Dec. 29, 2023.
Addressing the communities during the distribution of the items, Onuigbo described South-East as “a critical pillar for the development of Nigeria”.
According to him, we must do everything possible to ensure that we harness the immense potentials of the region and its people for overall growth and development.
“Today, we are gathered here to distribute foodstuffs to the great people of Ikwuano LGA.
“This is an essential pillar of PISE-P and is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring food security in the country.
“Addressing the issue of hunger is a critical first step in dousing anger and consequently ensuring that violence is reduced and peace upheld,” Onuigbo said.
A community leader, Chief Tony Mpamah, who spoke on behalf of other communities, expressed gratitude to the deputy speaker, while emphasising the importance of peace in the region.
“Peace is very important in our communities and region and we are so happy that we have a government that is taking responsibility for the people they govern,” Mpamah said.
Also, Mr Dickson Ajuri from Usaka Ukwu Community said that Kalu had set a good precedence with PISE-P.
He argued that any nation that would want to overcome poverty would need peace and empowerment of the citizenry.
“I’m in support of PISE-P because peace is the infrastructure of any developed nation – without it, there can be no development,” Ajuri said.
Other community members in their separate speeches also spoke in support of the PISE-P initiative and further thanked Kalu for the donation made to them.
NAN reports that the food items as well as bundles of wrappers were distributed to 10 wards in Usaka, Ariam, Oboro and Oloko clans in the LGA.
PISE-P is an advocacy movement for the return of peace in the South-East through a non-kinetic approach.
The region has been embattled for many years due to serious security breaches by gunmen, leading to the destruction of lives and property as well as the economy of the region. (NAN)
