Buhari, Obasanjo to Speak at South-East Economic Summit

• Buhari, Obasanjo to Speak at South-East Economic Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasnajo will lead other eminent personalities and delegates to the maiden edition of the South-East Economic and Security Summit holding in Enugu.

The event, being backed by the state governments of the South-East, will hold on Thursday at the Enugu State Government House, according to a statement by the organisers.

The summit is an initiative of the South-East Economic Security Summit Group, a non-governmental organisation made up of top business, military, political, religious and community leaders from the country’s South-East region.

The forum is meant to address key issues affecting the economic growth and peace of the South-East, and proffer practical solutions towards the economic advancement of the region.

A former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who is also the Chairman, SEESS Group, was quoted in the statement as saying, “In demonstration of his interest in maintaining peace in the South-East as well as other regions, and fostering economic growth and development, President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed his participation in the maiden South-East Economic and Security Summit.”

“We are also pleased to announce that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been a strong advocate for the convocation of a summit not pivoted on politics but rather on the economic and developmental premise for the region and other regions, has also committed to attend.

He added, “All five governors from the south-eastern states will be participating in the summit, and they will lead other eminent personalities and delegates to discuss issues of common interest, including infrastructure, agriculture, health, tourism, security as well as financing the region’s economic programme.”

Nnaji had in a statement issued earlier by the organisers described the summit as a meeting point where specific problems relating to the region would be addressed.

“It is forum where specific problems will be defined, projects to address the problems are adopted, and what the various stakeholders roles are- including that of the Federal Government – in solving the problems are also presented,” he noted.

Delegates from the South-East, Presidency, National Assembly, state governments, the diplomatic community are expected at the event, according to the chairman.