Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, Executive Secretary of the South East Business and Investment Summit (SEBIS) Group, Wednesday (yesterday), led members of SEBIS’s national working committee and local organizing committee on a tour of Enugu’s iconic International Conference Centre (ICC), a project initiated over 16 years ago during former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration. With the current Governor, Peter Mbah, aiming to complete the ICC, Dr. Okwenna remarked, “This conference centre, upon completion, will rank among the best in the nation, showcasing Enugu’s place as a beacon of progress and investment.”
The SEBIS delegation included Engr. Ben Oranusi, chair of the local organizing committee, and key committee heads like Chiefs Opara and Mbagha, Chijioke Ogbodo, Okey Igbonekwu, and Ikedi Isiguzo. This visit highlighted the administration’s dedication to completing the ICC, a legacy project which also features a five-star hotel aimed at attracting high-profile events. Dr. Okwenna noted, “It’s inspiring that this project, started by a governor from the Enugu East Senatorial District, is now being completed by another leader from the same district.”
Scheduled for December 11 to 13, the maiden SEBIS summit aims to position the South East as an attractive investment destination. Dr. Okwenna stated, “We look forward to welcoming investors, innovators, and leaders who will be part of the transformation story of the South East,” emphasizing the summit’s role in driving regional growth. As part of the summit’s preparations, SEBIS’s team also paid a courtesy visit to Chief Ifeanyi Okoye, CEO of JUHEL Pharmaceuticals, to congratulate him on his appointment as NECA Chairman and invite him as a guest speaker. Okoye, supportive of regional industrial development, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to be part of a summit that will bring together diverse industries and minds.”
The summit is set to attract high-profile guests, including Nigeria’s Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, who will open the event, and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Keynote speakers will include WTO President Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, AfriExim Bank’s Dr. Benedict Oramah, and former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete. This esteemed lineup underscores the summit’s importance and its potential to stimulate economic transformation in the South East.
In preparation for the summit, SEBIS signed a strategic partnership with the South East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (SECCIMA) to support local businesses in expanding nationally and globally. SECCIMA President Chief Humphrey Ngonadi remarked, “This partnership opens doors for local businesses to expand and compete. We are eager to see the outcomes of this summit, which aligns with our mission to stimulate economic growth in the region.”
Dr. Okwenna expressed appreciation for the support from JUHEL Pharmaceuticals and SECCIMA, stating, “With such robust partnerships, SEBIS is set to elevate the profile of our region, attracting investments that will uplift our communities.” He emphasized the event’s significance, noting, “We are setting the stage for growth, not only for Enugu but for the entire South East region,” underscoring SEBIS’s commitment to advancing public-private partnerships for long-term development.
