● Ferdy Agu
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the Ohaneze Council of Igbo Business Leaders, has officially endorsed the South East Business and Investment Summit (SEBIS), set for December 11–13, 2024, in Enugu. In a recent meeting with SEBIS organizers led by Executive Secretary Dr. Ifedi Okwenna in Lagos, Dr. Ohuabunwa described SEBIS as a critical platform for regional economic development. “Let’s leave politics for politicians and do our own bit,” he urged, calling on all Igbos to embrace initiatives that boost economic growth in Ala Igbo.
Dr. Ohuabunwa, a respected voice in regional advancement and former President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), assured the organizers of his personal support and confirmed his attendance at SEBIS. “Once you have two or three believers in your vision, please move on,” he said, emphasizing the significance of collective commitment to the summit’s goals. His endorsement has strengthened SEBIS’s credibility, generating enthusiasm within the Igbo business community.
Lagos-based Igbo traders have also pledged their support for SEBIS, with over 50 associations from Alaba International Market, led by Nze Marcel C. Okezue, President of the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), confirming participation. “The time has come to show presence in our homeland, Ala Igbo,” Okezue said, highlighting a shared vision of investing in Igbo land.
Ben Oranusi (right) and Dr. Ugochukwu Chime during presentation of invitation yesterday in Enugu
Nze Okezue’s sentiments were echoed by Hon. Oscar Paul Odogwu, President of the Balogun Business Association (BBA) at the International Trade Fair Complex, who praised SEBIS organizers for engaging traders early in the planning process. “History will be kind to the organizers of this summit. We need our children to come home to their ancestral homeland and embrace our culture,” Odogwu said, underscoring SEBIS’s role in fostering cultural pride and economic revitalization.
Dr. Okwenna welcomed the support from the Alaba traders, calling it a “milestone” in SEBIS’s mission to unite Igbo business leaders. He noted that these endorsements signal a strong commitment to sustainable growth in the South East and affirmed that the summit would “leave no stone unturned” in its preparation.
Further elevating the summit’s profile, the government of India has declared a willingness to partner with SEBIS, enhancing opportunities for cross-border investments and technology transfer. Additionally, the Taiwan ambassador to Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping Liu, will address participants, while Dr. Olawale Fasanya, the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has confirmed his attendance, signaling the summit’s appeal across public and private sectors.
For SEBIS organizers, the summit represents a transformative platform for discussing regional development strategies. Key speakers will address themes of economic self-reliance and investment in Igbo communities, aligning with SEBIS’s vision of creating a self-sustaining economy in the South East.
The summit’s commitment to regional growth has also sparked interest from Enugu’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC), led by Chief Ben Oranusi. Recently, the LOC extended a formal invitation to Dr. Ugochukwu Chime, CEO of COPEN Group, emphasizing the alignment of his expertise in real estate with SEBIS’s focus on sustainable development. Dr. Chime accepted the invitation, calling SEBIS a “vital platform for advancing regional growth.”
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa (middle), Dr. Ifedi Okwenna (2nd from right) and other committee members of SEBIS
In addition to its strategic planning, SEBIS has partnered with AfiaTV to increase visibility, with CEO Emeka Mbah affirming their commitment to amplify SEBIS’s objectives through media outreach. This collaboration marks a “crucial step toward expanding SEBIS’s impact,” according to Dr. Okwenna.
SEBIS continues to gain traction among prominent Igbo business leaders and international stakeholders, setting the stage for a landmark event focused on regional advancement, cultural connection, and business innovation in the South East. GMTNewsng