Minister of Information Urges South East to Tap Into Federal Government Initiatives”

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on the people of the South East to take advantage of the various federal government initiatives in the zone and support efforts aimed at bringing development closer to communities.

Speaking in Umuahia during the “Tinubu Administration’s Mid-Term Report” for the South East region, Idris highlighted several key projects and programmes, including the cassava bio-ethanol project in Enugu, the youth agricultural support scheme championed by the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, and the distribution of relief materials to persons with disabilities in Abia State.

Other initiatives listed were the Students Loan Scheme, Consumer Credit Corporation, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project, Skill-Up Artisans Programme, National Youth Talent Export scheme, housing initiatives, nano-business support, the commissioning of the Cancer Centre in Enugu, upgraded mother-and-child centres in Abia and Imo, as well as landmark infrastructure such as the Second Niger Bridge and the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.

Idris urged states and local governments to widely disseminate information on these initiatives to ensure citizens are fully aware and benefit from the opportunities, while reiterating the federal government’s commitment to the well-being of the South East.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu (represented by Mike Ukoha), noted that despite decades of marginalization since the civil war, the region now has a South East Development Commission following the passage of his sponsored bill, recently signed into law by the President.

Earlier, resource person Mr. Sam Odita urged South Easterners to embrace the programmes, stressing that the administration deserves commendation for its steps so far.

Goodwill messages from traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim leaders, and the National Orientation Agency emphasized the need for a positive mindset while also urging President Tinubu to address insecurity, hunger, equitable distribution of infrastructure, and the revival of railway services.