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By Madu Obi
The Director General of the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGOF), Senator Uche Ekwunife, has held high-level discussions with the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, to explore investment opportunities for the South-East region of Nigeria from Britain.
During the meeting, Senator Ekwunife expressed deep concern over the closure of the Enugu Visa Office, calling for its reopening, as well as the reduction of visa application fees to ease access for citizens, particularly importers and exporters in the region who rely on visa approvals to sustain their businesses.
She emphasized SEGOF’s interest in collaborating with the British Commission on capacity building for teachers, content creators, and women empowerment programmes.
She further highlighted the need to strengthen the capacity of South-East women to enhance their participation in leadership and political decision-making.
She underscored the region’s commitment to security, stating that the South-East governors are collectively working to ensure a safe and stable business environment.
"The absence of natural barriers between the South-East states presents an opportunity for seamless collaboration in tackling insecurity.
The governors are determined to eliminate cross-border criminal activities and ensure that no state serves as a safe haven for criminals. A secure South-East is a prosperous South-East," she stated.
Ekwunife also highlighted key institutional achievements of the South-East Governors’ Forum under her leadership, including the establishment of the SEGOF Secretariat and recruitment of staff, as well as drafting of the South-East Constitution and Code of Conduct to guide regional cooperation.
Ekwunife said the South-East Youth Leadership Summit, hosted in August, which attracted over 2,000 participants, was a huge success.
"The future of the South-East lies in the hands of its youth. By creating platforms for mentorship, leadership training, and business development, we are ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to take the region to greater heights," she noted.
She stressed that South-East is open for business, emphasizing that ongoing infrastructural and security initiatives will enhance the region’s attractiveness to foreign investors and described the newly established South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as a catalyst for industrialization in the region.
According to her, the SEDC is a special-purpose vehicle designed to complement the efforts of the governors by facilitating mega infrastructure projects, improving investor confidence, and promoting economic growth.
"The South-East is a land of immense potential, rich in human and natural resources. The SEDC will drive transformative projects such as the development of a gas pipeline, a modern railway network linking key cities, and the construction of strategic roads to boost regional commerce and connectivity.
Our goal is to make the region an attractive destination for investors and a hub of economic activity," Ekwunife stated.
Ekwunife added that the resilience and industrious nature of the South-East people, noting that fostering international partnerships would accelerate economic transformation and position the region as a leading investment destination in Nigeria and beyond.
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