Victor Ezeja
The South East South-South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has called for a national consensus across the country and all political parties to in the spirit of equity and fair play, zone the presidential slot to the South-east during 2023 election.
Doing this the body said would help to strengthen peace, unity and continuity of the country, noting that there has been a deliberate policy of exclusion of the Southeast from all political consideration for the position of presidency of the Nigeria.
SESSPN made the call during its Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 30 January 2022 at Prime Chinese Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.
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Being a frontline advocacy group, SESSPN has the core aim of addressing the challenges of economic development of the Southeast and South-south regions with a focus on its consequential implications for a better Nigeria.
The body called on all professional members to be actively involved in the process, while also urging eligible voters generally to register and vote during elections, noting that when the right leadership is installed, half of the country’s problems are solved.
In its executive report presented to the general assembly, by Hannibal Uwaifo, President-General and Ireke Kalu-Onuma, Secretary-General, SESSPN and made available to Prime Business Africa, the body lamented lack of fund to drive its objectives as members are not financially active and urged members to show full commitment.
Commenting on the state of the country, the group said Nigeria hasn’t fared well in the last one year. It condemned the further depreciation of the Naira value in exchange for foreign currencies, and also lampooned several cases of criminal activities, terrorist attacks, extrajuidical killings in southeast and other parts of the country.
It observed that such level of insecurity can’t be a justification for the large fundings of the defence sector in the country.
The group also observed that lack of jobs was at the core of the high poverty levels, inequality, social and political unrest in different parts of the country, noting that high inflation with the attendant high prices of things in 2020 – 2021 may likely push an additional seven million Nigerians into poverty, while the government appears clueless on how to tackle the problems as it continues to borrow heavily to finance expenditures.
The body stressed the need for seeking alternative source of revenue rather than over dependence on oil revenue.
On the independence of the udiciary, it said the sector has been imprinted on, leading to cases of impunity, disobedience of court orders, amidst other challenges of judicial officers.
On the challenge of insecuirty, the group called for a regional security summit and pledged to support with resources at its disposal.
It also urged the government, business community and investors to work towards improving agricultural base of the zones to help mitigate growing food shortage and rising cost.
While condemning the ecological disaster happening in Niger Delta, especially the black soot in Port harcourt, the body called for a joint effort of both the Federal Government, the region and professionals from the zone to tackle the problem.
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“We condemn in very strong terms the ecological disaster presently happening across the Niger Delta, especially the
Black soot in Port harcourt which is causing so many health issues.
“We call for a joint effort of both the government of the Zones and World Agencies and professionals from the zone
to engage with each other to tackle the problem,” SESSPN stated.
Going forward SESSPN said it plans to:
“Facilitate and promote innovation of social and economic development initiatives that will help marginal communities to achieve sustainable economic and social development.
“Promote youths social, educational, economic, political, and psychological empowerment for their sustainable social and economic development.
“Facilitate women social, educational, economic, political, and psychological empowerment for their sustainable social and economic development.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
