A group of Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora said it has planned to launch Ndigbo Workable Development Goals – 2035 (Ndigbo-2035), a sustainable development document which will create 2.5million new jobs and lift five million people out of poverty in the region by 2035.
This was made known in Umuahia, Abia state, by Mrs. Doris Onyekwere, a board member of the South-East Marketplace Limited, the organisation powering the project.
She said, “At the heart of Ndigbo-2035 lay the revolutionary Integrated Impact Enterprise (IIE) model, which embeds sustainable development into private sector-led commercial activities.”
She highlighted that the private sector-driven innovative approach will not only “unite businesses, development communities, and local stakeholders in a self-sustaining ecosystem that fosters wealth creation, community empowerment, and environmental resilience” but will also “establish a replicable blueprint for Africa’s future.”
Anchored in the Igbo philosophy of Igwebuike (unity as strength), will also foster cultural vitality, reduce rural-to-urban migration, revitalise rural economies, and fast-track the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the South East.
Projects like the Ndigbo Integrated Farm Estates Scheme (NIFES) and the cluster hubs will empower smallholder farmers, establish export clusters, and drive non-oil exports through Special Economic Zones, with projected annual revenues of $1.5 billion.
The Programme Coordinator in Finland, Dr. Obinna Kelechi Oliaku, said, “We see agriculture as a cornerstone for sustainable growth, and through Ndigbo-2035, we’re channeling our resources and expertise to empower rural communities and ensure food security.”
Also echoing the same sentiment, Patrick Ibekwe, the Programme Coordinator in the USA, added: “Agriculture is not just about livelihoods – it’s about restoring dignity and creating opportunities for our people back home.”
Rev. Jacob said as a group, “We commend Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu for his tireless efforts in championing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill, ensuring its passage and laying a foundation for sustainable growth in the South East.
“There is no doubt that with a visionary leader like Chief Emeka Wogu as board chairman, whose extensive experience in public service and strategic leadership will propel SEDC to unparalleled success, and the appointment of Dr. Clifford Ogbede as Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development at SEDC, the region is poised for transformative impact”, he said.
Ndigbo-2035 therefore called on partners, investors, and stakeholders to join this opportunity to unleash Igboland’s future through identity, culture, capital and impact innovation.