The Vice President made the remarks during the launch of South East Business Roundtable “Light up Nigeria Program”, conducted by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, in Enugu, on Monday
Vice President Kassim Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s optimal functionality depends on the South East achieving industrialization with sufficient power supply.
Drawing a parallel with the industrious nature of the Jews, he highlighted the importance of economic enterprise and educational ambition in the region.
Vice President Shettima’s remarks shed light on the strategic significance of the South East region in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and entrepreneurial spirit, the South East possesses immense potential to drive innovation, growth, and prosperity. However, achieving these aspirations hinges on addressing critical infrastructure challenges, particularly in the realm of power supply, which is fundamental to fostering industrialization and economic advancement.
Shettima revealed his rejection of a proposal to disconnect the South East from electricity due to a debt profile, expressing President Bola Tinubu’s positive intentions for the nation. He commended the South East and its governors as exemplary contributors to the nation’s progress.
The Vice President made the remarks during the launch of South East Business Roundtable “Light up Nigeria Program,” conducted by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, in Enugu, on Monday.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said that the ‘Light-Up Nigeria Project’ signals a new dawn for power and industrialisation of the South East region, noting that the initiative aligns with his administration’s disruptive approach to governance underpinned by thinking outside the box.
According to Vice President Shettima,
“We have to make the South East work; we’re targeting the South East for two million jobs for women and youths. We’re proceeding to Abia State to commission the power station built by the elder statesman, Prof. Barth Nnaji, and we will also commission some road projects and go back to Enugu to commission the Smart School because education is the greatest gift you can give a generation.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC, Engr. Chinedu Ugbo, said that the forum provided an opportunity to interact with the Vice President and the business clusters in the south east, adding that the lunch was also for the south-east phase of the strategic collaboration between NDPHC and other project parties to provide steady and reliable electricity supply to industrial and business clusters across Nigeria.
The Vice President’s remarks reflect a broader vision of nation-building that prioritizes equitable development and inclusive prosperity. By empowering each region to unlock its economic potential and address local challenges, Nigeria can harness the collective strength of its diverse communities to drive national transformation. From the bustling markets of Enugu to the industrial hubs of Aba and Onitsha, the South East’s success reverberates across the nation, shaping Nigeria’s destiny and fostering unity in diversity.
Vice President Kassim Shettima’s assertion that “Nigeria will work if the South East works” encapsulates a profound truth about the interconnectedness of Nigeria’s economic fortunes. By recognizing and addressing the unique needs and opportunities of each region, Nigeria can harness its vast potential and chart a course towards prosperity for all.
As the nation embarks on the journey towards industrialization and energy security, let us heed the call for collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity, laying the foundation for a brighter future for generations to come.
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