POLITICS: Abia stands still for Deputy speaker as he pulls high and mighty to Bende for grand reception.

By Editor, Umuahia.

It was all pomp and pageantry in Bende, Bende local government area of Abia state on Friday as the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu hosts the political, religious and traditional elites across the country.

It was a grand reception in honour of the deputy speaker and also the official launch of the Peace in the South East project (PISE-P).

The programme took place at the Bende local government headquarters.

He said economic saboteurs had hid under cessation agitations to disrupt the peace in the region and warned them to desist from the unfavourable activities that have crippled the economy of the zone in recent times. He said government could no longer fold its arms and watch enemies of the people destroy the hard earned image of the zone.

Also the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass in his goodwill message, noted that the south East remains the industrial hub of the country and therefore cannot be left to be ravaged by insecurity.

He recalled the great sons and daughters the zone had produced and appealed that dialogue be used to settle the disaffection between the people and government.

Governor Hope Uzodimma as the chairman of the South East governor’s forum commented the deputy speaker for the peace initiative which he said all would key into.

Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti read the declarations of the zone which clearly stated that the people are for peace at all times.

Earlier, Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International gave a keynote speech during the thanksgiving service where he called on all Igbos to change the narrative of insecurity in the region.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo thanked the guests who came to Bende for Ben Kalu and commended the later for the project.

The vice president with some dignitaries present unveiled the logo of the Peace in the south east project There were conferment of chieftaincy title on the vice president and awards to him and other persons.