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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Nigeria's VP launches South-East development plan, countering poverty claims

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Vice President Kashim Shettima launched the South-East Development Commission's (SEDC) regional development plan, SEV2050, in Enugu.
  • The SEDC is tasked with post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation, a mission unique among Nigeria's regional development commissions.
  • The commission secured public support from all five south-east governors, contrasting with a similar event for the north-west commission.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to poverty reduction and inclusive development, directly countering a spokesperson's earlier claim that such issues were solely the responsibility of states and local governments. Shettima's remarks came during the launch of the South-East Development Commission's (SEDC) regional development plan, South-East Vision 2050 (SEV2050), in Enugu.

inclusive, sustainable, and anchored on peace and productivity.

— Bayo OnanugaDescribing the federal government's approach to development.

The event marked the public debut of the SEDC, one of seven regional development commissions established under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Ministry of Regional Development. Unlike others, the SEDC Act of 2024 specifically charges the commission with receiving and managing funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged during the Nigerian Civil War.

receive and manage funds from allocations of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the Civil War….

— SEDC Act of 2024Defining the primary mission of the SEDC.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo highlighted that the region is recovering from not one, but "two major wars": the Nigeria-Biafra War and an "internal war of self-destruction" ongoing since 2021. This framing underscores the complex challenges the SEDC aims to address.

two major wars

— Chukwuma SoludoDescribing the region's recovery challenges.

The commission achieved a significant political feat by securing the public support of all five south-east governors for its SEV2050 plan. This contrasts sharply with a similar event for the north-west commission, which saw no governors in attendance.

an internal war of self-destruction that has been on since 2021.

— Chukwuma SoludoDescribing the region's ongoing internal challenges.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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