President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has described the SEDC Vision 2050 as a critical pathway to healing old wounds and restoring trust in the South East.
Mbata spoke on Tuesday at the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholder Forum held in Enugu, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mba.
According to him, the forum was more than a policy dialogue, but a moment of reflection and recommitment to the future of the South East within a united Nigeria. He said the theme of the gathering underscored the need for trust, inclusion and shared belonging alongside economic growth.
The Ohanaeze leader acknowledged the region’s long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s development through enterprise, innovation and resilience. However, he noted that feelings of exclusion, neglect and unresolved grievances had persisted over the years.
Mbata said the establishment of the SEDC offered a unique opportunity to address those concerns and strengthen national cohesion. He stressed that beyond its statutory mandate, the Commission symbolised reconciliation and healing for the region.
He appealed to the Federal Government to fully empower the Commission through sustained and adequate funding. According to him, effective utilisation of the SEDC would accelerate development while helping to rebuild confidence and assuage lingering ill feelings in Igboland.
“This is the time to replace suspicion with trust and marginalisation with meaningful inclusion,” Mbata said, adding that genuine development remained one of the strongest tools for peace and national unity.
He also charged South-East stakeholders to support the Commission through ideas, partnerships and accountability. He emphasised the need for people-centred and transparent interventions that would reach communities, empower youths and restore faith in public institutions.
Mbata expressed optimism that Vision 2050 could mark a turning point where the South East becomes fully integrated into Nigeria’s development agenda through visible action rather than rhetoric.
He concluded by calling for a future defined by fairness, shared prosperity and renewed hope for the region.
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