About one thousand communities from the South-Eastern part of the country are currently taking part in a 2-day Millennium Development Goals, MDGs evaluation summit holding at Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Information from the organisers showed that with the exception of Ebonyi State, the other four states in the zone are participating actively in the summit.
In an opening speech on Wednesday, the co-chairman of the summit, His Royal Highness Igwe Laz Ekwueme described the event as a milestone achievement.
The renowned traditional ruler commended the participating states, expressing hope that such collaboration among South-East communities would no doubt produce laudable results.
“This summit, to me is a time for stock taking and to champion ways for effective development of our communities through symbiotic means. “Igbos are known as being our brother‘s keeper; our welfare system is known all over the world. So, since we represent specific communities, with specific problems in the areas of water, power and improved educational system, there is need to assist each other”, the monarch stated.
In an welcome address , the National Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, South-East, Comrade Chris Isiguzo said the summit would afford the people of the zone opportunity to review their past efforts in achieving MDGs.
He said: “It is therefore in the light of the above objectives that the NUJ in the South east zone decided to collaborate with our premier university, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, the Global research limited, Oganiru Ndigbo, which off course is the umbrella body of Igbos in Diaspora to embark on this journey which was aimed at accessing the impact of this noble vision on the lives of the people of our zone especially as the supposed magic year, 2015 draws nearer.
“We also decided to be part of this project because in the first place, it is a support project for our people. We deemed it strategic as journalists working in South-East that after twelve years of seed sowing in MDGs, the time for stock taking is now. It would therefore be our privilege to present the outcome of this independent assessment in the course of this summit.
“Apart from the presentation, this summit would also afford us the opportunity of brain-storming with stakeholders from the zone on the outcome of the assessment study, after which we would formally launch a N50 billion MDG Support Trust Fund”.
Isiguzo who also allayed fears that the trust fund may be embezzled when realized, said that in addition to adequate strategy put forward to secure the money, members of the board of trustee were eminent personalities in the zone. According to him: “Obviously there are fears and reservations about the realization of this dream as it looks Herculean. Such issues as how can this amount be realized, how would communities benefit from this fund, how are we sure it is not a design for some people to enrich themselves are among the questions that readily come to the minds of some of our people.
“Though, your doubts are not misplaced, but if you take a closer look at the plans, approach and strategies we have put in place for the pursuit of this course, you would immediately discover that you don’t have need to entertain any worries. For the sake of clarity, the N50 Billion is designed to be raised through free will donations of 5million Igbo Nationals at home and in Diaspora. Each willing donor can give Ten Thousand Naira or 100 Dollars in one year. One can make his payment in ten instalments, of N1, 000 per instalment or five instalments of N2, 000 per instalment, or four instalments of N2, 500 per instalment or two instalments of N5, 000 per instalment or one time payment of N10, 000”.
“Also in a bid to further guarantee the security of the fund, reputable men and women of integrity have been nominated as members of the board of the trustees. All Chairmen of Council of Ndieze of each south east state, Speakers of each of the five states legislative houses, notable men of God of proven integrity, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Vice Chancellors of various state universities as well as that of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, are among notable personalities nominated as members of the board of trustees of the fund.
“Further more, the provision that every autonomous community should be represented in the project programmes and fund drive also adds to strengthen the fund security. It should also be pointed that the use of project website to publish all trustees, all community representatives, all donors and the amount they donate as well as to which bank and date, makes the system so transparent that it guarantees ninety percent security”
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