The Igbo Heritage Renaissance Forum (IHRF) launches a historic advocacy campaign for regional synergy, ratifying the “Enugu Declaration” to drive a unified economic and infrastructural renaissance across the South-East.
ENUGU – In a decisive bid to transition the South-East region from isolated growth pockets to an integrated economic powerhouse, the Igbo Heritage Renaissance Forum (IHRF) has officially launched a high-level advocacy campaign calling for unprecedented synergy among the governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
Unveiled during the forum’s landmark Maiden Conference and Public Unveiling in Enugu, the group ratified the “Enugu Declaration on South-East Development” – a strategic roadmap designed to align state-level agendas with a grand regional vision.
Beyond State Borders: The Case for Coordinated Development
Addressing stakeholders on behalf of IHRF President, Prince Iwola Mba, the Deputy President, Mr. Chijioke Ogbodo, emphasized that while individual state achievements are commendable, the modern challenges facing the region do not respect state boundaries. To unlock true competitive advantage, the IHRF identified several critical sectors requiring immediate, collective planning and joint execution:
Infrastructure & Connectivity: Harmonized transport networks, regional rail projects, and integrated energy grids.
Security & Stability: A unified intelligence and security architecture to protect lives, investments, and trade routes.
Economic & Industrial Agility: Inter-state agricultural value chains, cross-border tourism corridors, and coordinated tech hubs.
Environmental Sustainability: Collaborative erosion control and climate resilience initiatives to preserve the homeland for future generations.
“We pledge to promote regional cooperation, good governance, economic growth, infrastructure development, environmental renewal, and human capital development through constructive engagement, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships.” –Â Prince Iwola Mba, President, IHRF
Actionable Mandates for Key Stakeholders
The Enugu Declaration is not merely a statement of intent; it is a call to action directed at multiple tiers of leadership and society:
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) – The IHRF positions the SEDC as the vital engine for this transformation. The forum charges the commission to discharge its mandate with absolute transparency, professionalism, and measurable impact, ensuring it acts as a genuine catalyst rather than a bureaucratic bottleneck.
Federal Government Alignment – While advocating for self-reliance, the IHRF calls on the Federal Government to sustain and scale up national policies that bolster infrastructure, security, and economic integration across the South-East, reinforcing national unity through equitable development.
Local and Private Sector Mobilization – True development is grassroots-led. The forum urges local government councils, traditional institutions, town unions, academia, and the private sector to bridge the gap between policy and community execution.
The Diaspora Connection – The IHRF makes a direct, strategic appeal to the global South-East diaspora, urging them to transition from philanthropic remittances to structural investments in talent, technology, and industry back home.
A Vision of Inclusive Prosperity
At its core, the IHRF’s mission is rooted in the preservation of heritage through progress. The forum emphasizes that any future economic model must be radically inclusive – providing equal access to opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable demographics.
By leveraging the natural entrepreneurial spirit, cultural depth, and unmatched human capital of the Igbo people, the South-East is uniquely positioned to redefine its economic destiny. The blueprint has been laid; the success of the Enugu Declaration now rests on the political will of its leaders and the collective resolve of its citizens.
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