As part of efforts to build peace and engender progress and development throughout Nigeria’s southeast region, the maiden South-East Economic and Security Summit (SEESS 2016) will hold on December 22, 2016 at the Enugu State Government House.
The summit, which is an initiative of the SEESS Group, a non-governmental organisation made up of top business, military, political, religious and community leaders from Nigeria’s southeast region, has the full commitment and support of the governors from the five southeastern states, and is endorsed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the Group, a former minister and current Chairman of Geometric Powers Limited, Professor Barth Nnaji, said: “We are grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for graciously accepting to host the Summit, and to all the other governors from the region for backing the initiative. Their collective support underlies the huge significance of the Summit not only for the region but for the entire nation.”
He disclosed that SEESS 2016 is aimed at addressing real issues affecting the peace and development of the southeast, proffering practical solutions and initiating a definitive course of action with pragmatic delineation of roles towards fast-paced economic and secure advancement of the region.
In his words: “This summit will not be a mere talk-shop; it will be a meeting where specific problems are defined, projects to address the problems are adopted, and what the various stakeholders’ roles – including that of the federal government – in solving the problems are also presented. Key areas of focus will include security, agriculture, infrastructure, health, tourism, as well as financing the region’s economic programme.”
According to Nnaji, admission to SEESS 2016 would be limited to an exclusive list of 250 delegates drawn from the Presidency, National Assembly, state governments, the diplomatic community, top local and international business leaders and investors, multinational corporations, bankers and financiers, the academia, security experts, civil society groups, religious bodies and other non-governmental organisations.
Southeast Nigeria is one of the six geopolitical zones in the country. It is made up of five states – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.