South East Development Commission Celebrates Two Years of Existence

The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has marked two years since its establishment, with stakeholders congratulating its leadership on this milestone.

The commission’s chairman, Hon. Ben Kalu, has been lauded for his dedication and hard work in driving the commission’s agenda.

In a congratulatory message, a prominent individual expressed delight in watching Hon. Kalu’s growth from his time as local government chairman in Abia State to his current role as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review and Amendment Committee.

However, the individual raised concerns about a recent discourse on citizenship and indigeneship. While supporting citizenship by investment and equal rights for women to bestow citizenship on their foreign husbands, the individual strongly opposed the idea of indigeneship by settlement.

According to the individual, indigeneship is tied to distinct social, economic, and cultural systems, languages, and values that cannot be acquired through settlement or legislation.

They argued that allowing indigeneship by settlement would undermine the sacred ethos and values of various indigenous peoples.

The individual emphasized the importance of distinguishing between citizenship and indigeneship, noting that while foreigners can acquire Nigerian citizenship through naturalization or investment, they cannot become indigenes of specific states or ethnic groups.

In light of this, the individual urged caution in navigating these complex issues, highlighting the need for careful consideration to avoid unnecessary controversy or judicial challenges. They commended Hon. Kalu for his good work and encouraged him to continue listening to the people and working towards the development of the South East region and Nigeria as a whole.