Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State, will on Friday December 29, play host to ‘who is who’ in the country for the formal unveiling of the Peace in the South-East Project (PISE-P), and the grand reception of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Some of the Very Important Personalities, VIPs, whose attendance to the event had been confirmed according to the organisers include: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; and Governors of South-East.
Other dignitaries who had also confirmed their participation were the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; and Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Highness, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.
Business tycoons – Aliko Dangote; and Chief Arthur Eze – had also confirmed their attendance to the event.
South-East legislators from the 10th National Assembly, state legislators; the Chairman and members of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; media moguls; and politicians from various political parties, are also expected in their numbers.
A statement by the Head, Media and Communications sub-committee of the organisers, Mary Ikoku, said the reception and the unveiling of the project would take place on December 29, 2023, at the Bende Sports Arena in Abia State.
The occasion is being organised by the Peace in South-East Project in conjunction with the people of Bende Local Government Area, the constituency of the Deputy Speaker.
According to the statement, all is set for the Home-Coming reception of Kalu, and formal unveiling of the project.
The ceremony, she said, “is organised in appreciation of the unwavering commitment of the Deputy Speaker to public service and outstanding contributions to the people of the South-East region and the nation in general.”
“The PISE-P team and his community take immense pride in the remarkable achievements and tireless efforts of the Deputy Speaker who has consistently demonstrated a profound dedication to the well-being and progress of our people.
“As the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, he has played and is still playing a pivotal role in shaping policies that address the needs and aspirations of the people of Bende Local government Area, the people of South-East, and the nation at large” she said.
“The PISE-P unveiling will mark the formal declaration of Peace in the South-East as well as initiate the project’s implementation. The project aims to end not only insecurity in the region through dialogue with the combatants and key stakeholders but also set in motion the rebuilding of South-East using the eight pillars of the project as tools for recovery, reconstruction, and regeneration of the economy and socio-political life of the people of the zone being ravaged by the crises.
“The pillars that are also vehicles for empowering and reintegrating the armed youths include Agriculture, Education, Leadership and good governance, Sports and Entertainment, culture, and Tourism among others,” the statement added.
