In undaunted solidarity with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, a number of front-line Nigerian entertainers and performers who were spearheaded by Jim Iyke stormed the host’s office in what is described as ‘a courtesy visit’ to discuss means to enervate the issue of insecurity in the South East.
By Samuel Odunayo Afolabi the Poet
While the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P) may have been the idea of Mr Kalu, the major function of it is regarded as the responsibility of concerned citizens including many of the old and new horses in the country’s entertainment industry.
During their visit to Mr Kalu’s office, James Ikechukwu Esomugha, popularly known as Jim Iyke, stood in the midst of other creatives present, to appreciate the effort of the Deputy Speaker to making sure every trace of violence is removed and replaced with sanity in the region.
He also acknowledged the roles to be played by key players in the project when he commended the vision held dearly by PISE-P to de-escalate the horrible situation in the South East by non-kinetic deliberations as the ultimate goal.
Moved deeply by the passionate speeches made by other entertainers at the meeting, Jim felt a bit relieved about the resolution which has not only come to light through the capacity of the project, but has also put into consideration the need replace losses with gains henceforth.
Although Kalu revealed that PISE-P would be unveiled on 29th December, 2023 in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, mentioning the eight cardinal pillars such as education, agriculture, commerce/industry, infrastructural development, culture and tourism, sports/entertainment, governance/leadership, and reconciliation/rehabilitation/reintegration as tools to enervating the challenges, he demanded that everyone must show readiness to support the movement.
In Mr. Kalu’s statement that was recorded, he emphasized, “That is why, in response to the challenges of the South-East, a different kind of song is rising – the song of the Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P). PISE-P is not about guns and boots; for the sounds of guns and the barrels of guns have not helped us in solving the problem in South-East. Militarization has not helped us. Kinetic approach to resolving the problem has not been the best solution. If it is not, then there must be something out there that is better than the guns. It is about education, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and cultural revival. It is about restoring the fertile ground where your talents can take root and soar.
“These are the tools, pillars upon which PISE-P stands. How do we use what we have to create peace? How do we bring in those ones who are in the bush, offer them free education? How do we use entrepreneurial skills to give them sense of inclusion by telling those people who are angry and agitating? We can give you a grant of one to two Million Naira and say ‘come out from the bush. We can help you start a life’. ‘Take the grant, let’s mentor you through, or let us support your business.”
Benjamin Kalu also did not shy away from the fact that the project would need economic assistance in terms of both philanthropic engagements and financial investments from different organisations and individuals.
Via his X handle, he commented about the major problem they dwelt on at the meeting, “Our discussions revolved around the rising insecurity in the South East, its impact on our regional and national economy, and the adverse effects of the weekly sit-at-home exercise, resulting in trading losses of up to N3.8 trillion every Monday for which the transport sector alone incurs losses of up to N13 billion.”
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Following that, he added, “That’s why we are coming up with this platform, which we must buy into to raise funds all around the world. There are organizations that are interested in peace and if building infrastructure will bring peace, they will come. If building those health centres will bring peace, they will come and partner with us. If redefining agriculture to mechanized farming will bring peace, they will come. If increasing the number of classroom blocks will bring peace, they will come. But they are looking for a platform. PISE-P is that platform.”
Given the similitude of the narratives shared by both Benjamin Kalu and Jim Iyke during the visit, it can be understood that the prevalent phenomenon in the South East is something that is necessarily personal, as both of them made mention of how the unfortunate issue has one way or another affected the lives and properties of their loved ones.
Jim Iyke recalling this, emphasized that, moving forward, positive responses and accurate responsive actions need be directed towards the present situation so it would put their efforts written boldly in the record book of posterity.
According to him, “This is a project conceived by our people for our people as resolution for the situation we deal with daily. It’s non-partisan, non-political, non-religious, non-radical ideologically, and transactional.
We just want peace and an equal playing field in pursuit of our dreams with freedom of choice”
