The South East South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has announced plans to honour deserving past leaders and top members who have contributed in no small measure to the development of the association in January 2022.
This was revealed at the association’s Global Zoom Conference held on Tuesday, 21st December, 2021.
According to a communique signed by its President, Hannibal Uwaifo Esq, the event will hold on January 30, 2021.
Read full communique below:
SOUTH EAST-SOUTH SOUTH PROFESSIONALS OF NIGERIA(SESSPN) GLOBAL ZOOM PRESS CONFERENCE, HELD ON TUESDAY, 21ST DECEMBER, 2021.
PROTOCOL
I welcome you all to today’s Press Conference specially called to herald a major event of the South East South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN), which will be held in January 30th, 2022 by the special Grace of God. I therefore want to thank you all for tuning in and for supporting the SESSPN.
The SESSPN was founded in 2005 under the Leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Ijewere as an advocacy group for the Economic, Cultural and Social development of the South East and South South regions of Nigeria.
Although it is non-Partisan, it certainly does comment on Political issues in a well considered manner that fosters the unity and address the challenges facing Nigeria as a Country and the South East South South regions as very important component parts of the project in Nigeria.
In my capacity as the present President, I am very proud to say that despite the many challenges, South East South South Professionals of Nigeria has been able to carve a niche for herself as an important Professional Group representing all Professionals from the South East and South South. Our Executive Council is the 4th in recent times coming from Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju,who took over from Dr. Ijewere,followed by Architect Denzil Kentebbe, who handed over the mantle of Leadership to my Executive.
With all due respect and to our mind in South East South South Professionals of Nigeria, the organization has performed creditably well especially in our flagship area of developing a Blueprint Economic Agenda that is capable of transforming the 2 regions into a major Economic Hub in the Continent considering the Cultural, Political, Economic, Social and proximate affinities between them.
In 2014, a 20 year Development Agenda for the South East South South called DASESS 2035 was launched in Asaba, Delta State by Mr. Emeka Ihedioha former Governor of Imo State as then Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives . The Grand Hotel Asaba, venue of that event was graced by notable personalities not only from the 2 regions but also across the Nation. The common agreement at that gathering was that the DASES 2035 document was well thought out and capable of launching the regions and by extension Nigeria into the league of Economically advanced and prosperous Nations.
The public campaign for the adoption of the document apart from Delta State took us through several States in the region including Rivers, Edo, Cross-River, Enugu, Imo,Akwa-Ibom to mention a few.
While it is safe to say that dynamics currently being experienced in Nigeria were not at play in the 2 regions at the time of conception of DASES 2035 including the Economic, Political and insecurity realities, South East South South Professionals of Nigeria is set to review the document to meet with these and other present future challenges.
Outside our Economic agenda, South East South South Professionals of Nigeria has championed several causes and promoted other strategic agendas beneficial to the regions not only in terms of public Advocacy but clear articulation of ideas that joins with public discourse and helps to shape the future of our Nation.
While South East South South Professionals believes in a United Nigeria, it however believes that the injustices and Nepotism currently pervading and regulating our Nation’s Governance and National life is a hindrance to our National aspirations and a draw back for the progressive people of the 2 regions.
South East South South Professionals of Nigeria also advocates Constitutional review, devolution of powers from the center and National life driven by merit not dubious Constitutional and Statutory contraption.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, moving forward the South East South South Professionals of Nigeria has decided to take stock of its past and conceive an activist but professional future. Recognition of those who have made their marks in the Association and supported it when it mattered most is a veritable tool for future participation and support in this direction, the SESSPN will be organizing a major event in the new year 2022, specifically, Sunday,January 30th when we shall be having our maiden SESSPN HONOURS NITE where deserving past Leaders and top members of the Association who have clearly, manifestly and undoubtedly rendered Excellent Services to the Association will be decorated and honoured to encourage others to support our Association .
Those to be honoured are:
1) Dr. Emmanuel Ijewere (Founding President)
2) His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke,who hosted the first ever South East South South Professionals of Nigeria retreat in Calabar.
3) Late Engr. Chidi Izuwah, who was at the helm of working tirelessly to produce the DASES 2035 document (posthumously).
4) Late Mr. Albert Okumagba, production of the DASES 2035 Document.(posthumously)
5) His Excellency,Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Presenter of the DESES 2035 Document at the launch in Asaba, Delta State.
6) Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Chair of the 2nd SESS Development Forum in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
7)Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, D.G ,WTO, SESS Development Strategist.
8) Prof. Okey Oramah, President, Afrexim Bank, SESS Development Strategist
9) Mazi Uche Orji, CEO, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)- SESS Development Strategist.
10)Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Developement Monitoring Board(NCDMB) SESS Development Strategist.
We also have plans that His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State deliver a Dinner Speech on “Ibom Air as a catalyst for the development of the SESS regions.
An updated DASESS2035 Document based on current realities will be presented on the occasion by the Deputy President,South East of the SESSPN, Mr. George Agu, a valuable and respected son of our Association. Former Chief of Army Staff and Former Chief of Defence Staff General Alexander Ogomudia (Rtd),will be the Chairman of the Event.
Finally, let me add that the rescheduled 2021 AGM of the SESSPN will hold same day at same venue before the Honours Night which will begin about 6:00 pm.
Very prominent Sons and Daughter of the regions, Captains of Industry, Government Officials, Professionals are expected to grace the occasion. You are all cordially invited.
I thank you all.
Hannibal Uwaifo Esq.
President, SESSPN.