By Abasi Ita
Ambassadors Designate from Nigeria’s South South region have pledged strong support for the South South Development Commission in its efforts to accelerate economic growth and sustainable development across the region.
The commitment was made during an interactive engagement convened by the Commission’s Managing Director, Ms Usoro Akpabio, who described the session as a strategic initiative to deepen collaboration and unlock the region’s vast economic potential.
The meeting brought together ambassadors designate from the South South, alongside members of the Commission’s board and executive management. Participants joined both physically and virtually, reflecting a shared resolve to strengthen partnerships that will drive development across the region.
Speaking during the session, Akpabio stressed the need for closer cooperation between the Commission and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions. She noted that such collaboration is crucial in promoting investment, expanding trade opportunities, facilitating technology transfer, and advancing environmental sustainability.
She described the South South as a vital economic hub with abundant natural resources, significant maritime advantages, strong energy assets, and growing opportunities in agriculture, supported by a dynamic youth population. According to her, the Commission remains focused on infrastructure development, economic diversification, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and industrial expansion.
Akpabio also outlined priority areas for partnership, including development of the oil and gas value chain, gas commercialization, agriculture and agro processing, maritime and blue economy initiatives, renewable energy, industrial parks, and critical infrastructure. She further proposed the establishment of a coordination framework between the Commission and Nigerian missions abroad to strengthen investment promotion and development cooperation.
In his remarks, Ambassador Designate Senator Ita Enang commended the Commission for initiating the engagement, describing it as timely. He assured of sustained collaboration to attract investments and development opportunities to the South South.
Other ambassadors designate, including Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas and Reno Omokri, who joined virtually, also expressed their readiness to partner with the Commission in driving sustainable development across the region.
Similarly, Abass Braimoh, Efe Clark Omeru, and Philip Ikufusi reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Commission, noting that Nigeria is on a path to economic recovery and requires coordinated efforts to sustain growth.
The engagement highlights a growing alignment between the South South Development Commission and Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, aimed at advancing both regional and national development goals.