By ALEX ENEBELI

The Igbo Heritage Renaissance Forum (IHRF) has called for stronger collaboration among the governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to accelerate sustainable development across the South-East.

The President of the forum, Prince Iwola Mba, made the call during the organisation’s Maiden Conference and Public Unveiling in Enugu on Tuesday, where it adopted the Enugu Declaration on South-East Development.

Represented by the Deputy President, Mr Chijioke Ogbodo, Mba said that although each state had its own development agenda, many of the region’s challenges and opportunities transcended state boundaries and required coordinated action.

According to him, critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, security, environmental sustainability, industrialisation, agriculture, tourism, innovation and human capital development are regional priorities that demand collective planning and implementation.

He commended the governors for ongoing reforms and initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening governance.

Mba urged them to deepen collaboration in areas of shared regional interest, stressing that sustainable progress would be accelerated through partnership rather than isolated efforts.

He explained that IHRF was a non-partisan civic and public policy organisation established to promote regional development, good governance, policy dialogue, research, civic participation and strategic collaboration.

The president also called on the Federal Government to sustain policies and programmes that would strengthen infrastructure, security, economic opportunities and national integration across the South-East.

Mba stressed the need for inclusive and sustainable development that provides equal opportunities for women, youths and vulnerable groups in the zone, while protecting the environment for future generations.

“We pledge to promote regional cooperation, good governance, economic growth, infrastructure development, environmental renewal and human capital development through constructive engagement, policy advocacy and strategic partnerships,” he said.

He also urged the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to discharge its mandate with transparency, professionalism, inclusiveness and measurable impact, describing the commission as a potential catalyst for regional transformation.

Mba further urged local government councils, traditional institutions, town unions, the organised private sector, academia, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen collaboration in driving innovation, investment and sustainable growth in the South-East.

He equally appealed to South-East indigenes at home and in the diaspora to continue investing their talent, ideas, resources and influence toward the advancement of the region.

“We believe the South-East possesses the human capital, entrepreneurial spirit, cultural heritage and economic potential to become one of Nigeria’s most competitive and prosperous regions.

“Realising that vision, however, requires greater collaboration among governments, institutions, communities, businesses and citizens,” he said. (NAN)