The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has stated that the South East remains the economic powerhouse of the country and Africa at large, News About Nigeria reports.
He disclosed this while speaking at the launch of the Peace in the South East Project, PISE-P, spearheaded by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in Bende Abia State, on Friday.
The lawmaker, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Musa Krishi, noted that the South East has always taken the lead when it comes to trade and commerce in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Decrying the wave of insecurity that has continued to cripple daily life and significantly paralyse socio-economic endeavours in the South East, Abbas noted that it was a sad development for a region whose people are renowned for their resourcefulness and economic enterprise.
He disclosed that between 1956 and 1965, the then-Eastern region was regarded as the fastest-growing economy in Africa and Asia, maintaining that insecurity must be dealt with to ensure that the Igbos take back their place in the world.
According to him, a sizeable chunk of the major investments in many parts of Nigeria are Igbo-owned, noting that the Igbos have contributed to the nation’s economy through imports, business investments, and Diaspora remittances, among others.
He described the Igbo tribe as being entrepreneurial, resourceful, savvy, tenacious and peace-loving, adding that three of the Eastern cities, namely Aba, Onitsha and Nnewi, are among the most industrialised in Nigeria.
He therefore urged Igbo leaders to seek ways of interfacing with the Federal Government to address their legitimate grievances.
