BY UCHE CHUKWU, ONITSHA A non-political, non-governmental economic-driven organisation , Ohaigbo Community Development Initiative (OCDI)(aka SEDAC) is mobilizing coordinators and other foot soldiers for infrastructural.human and economic development of South-East Region. OCDI has also taken steps aimed at mobilizing 95 local government areas in the five states of South-East Zone for the purpose of achieving the lofty dream. This was made known during the presentation of flags and emblems to the five state coordinators in the South-East Zone. The Coordinators are: Abia State - Rev Dr Triumph Ikechukwu Ndukwe; Anambra State - Hon Omaram Sunday Chibuzor; Ebonyi State - Hon Amb Chukwuemeka Charity Uzoamaka; Enugu State - Onah Joy Ukamaka and Imo State - Rev Onyema Onyechere The presentation was the highlight of OCDI's First National Executive Summit and "Unveiling of SEDAC Operational Pillars and 2026 - 2031 Strategic Roadmap" in Awka, Anambra State, with the theme,, "Raising Grassroots Ambassadors From to Impact for Haven AlaIgbo." Speaking during the Summit, the group's Visionary Leader, and National President of OCDI, Hon. Ambassador David Okwudiri noted that South-East Zone is abundantly blessed with human and material resources, which if well-harnessed would turn the region into an economic super power, noting, "we are moving from mobilization to industrialization." He said: "We want to drive long-term development and position South-East Region as a Africa's next investment hub. He urged Ndigbo in the diaspora "to form groups for mobilization and development of Ala Igbo," stressing, "Together We Build, Together We Impact." The National Presiden directed the Coordinators to own the organisation and liaise with the local government coordinators with a view to taking the message down to the wards in each state . He reiterated that the body would create an enabling environment for business and Innovation ecosystem and private sector investment in the communities by upscaling skills of youths and women and launch South East agricultural revolution for food security vans agricultural empowerment as well as Industria creative economy for Small and Medium- Enterprises (SMEs), ICT, and creative talents in a bid to improve living standard He pointed out that"if we speak with one voice, no government can ignore us. Togetherness makes us to become a political force that attracts partnership projects and policies.". The Visionary Leadr stressed that OCDI is bringing together selfless leaders with passion and working directly at grassroots to complement government efforts and empowerment communities from the bottom-up. Okwudiri charged the confirmed coordinators of the five states in the South-East Zone to sustain building membership, "because when people are mobilized they stop being spectators, they become stakeholders This is how exactly nations are built. This was exactly how Moses led the Israelites, not from the palace, but from the camp, tribe., family by family." Contributing, the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Precious Chukwu observed that OCDI as a legal personality is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission, The Legal Adviser of OCDI noted that its foundational framework emphasizes regional development, unity, and communal welfare.
Noting that much can't be a achieved in an atmosphere of lack of peace and security, Chukwu hinted that it has mapped out a collaboration interventionist strategy with government for restoring peace and economic stability and community safety.. Speaker after speaker harped on⁷ygg the thoughtfulness of the initiative, pledging to contribute their quotas in mobilizing their respective states towards achieving the goal. Particularly. Enugu State, Dr. Joy Onah promised to work harder for a massive mobilization of the grassroots level go bring the organisation into more limelight. In his remarks, the Abia State Coordinator ,Rev Dr Triumph Ikechukwu Ndukwe, said she would take the head with her Executive to create more awareness on the group''s core values, centred on preserving and projecting Igbo cultural heritage and values, promoting peace, unity, long-term economic growth, infrastructural development and social cohesion among community members in the South-East Zone Sharing his view, the Ebonyi State counterpart, Hon Amb Chukwuemeka Charity Uzoamaka pleaded with the national leadership to give it little time to address certain grey areas, assuring improved efforts to deepen grassroots presence of OCDI. Also speaking, the Imo State Coordinator, Rev Onyema Onyechere pledged that they would ensure massive mobilization of the indigenes in their respective states to achieve the aims and objectives. In his vote of thanks, Anambra State Coordinator Omaram Sunday Chibuzor lauded the initiative of the organisers and National President in particular in giving Anambra State the hosting right for the first Summit, assuring that he would work assiduously to make the State as leading light in line with its motto as the Light of the Nation.