Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has launched the “Food For Peace” initiative, a pillar of his Peace in South East Project (PISE-P).
The initiative, flagged off in Bende local government area of Abia State, falls under the agriculture and food security pillar of PISE-P, themed: “A Hungry Man is an Angry Man” in recognition of the importance of food in the drive for peace in the region.
The launch of the initiative witnessed the distribution of food items across the 17 local government areas of Abia State and other areas in the region.
According to the chief press secretary to the deputy speaker, Livinus Nwabughiogu, over 6,000 bags of rice, 150 bags of beans, 80 bags of garri, 3000 cartoons of spaghetti, 100 cartoons of vegetable oil and 3000, pieces of wrappers were distributed to each of the councils.
In a statement made available to parliamentary reporters, Nwabughiogu said the flag-off also featured the distribution of motorcycles, deep freezers, sewing and grinding machines, big capacity generators and pesticides sprinkling kits.
Other items, he explained, donated include several pieces of wrapper, sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, children’s clothes and brocade clothes, recording thousands of beneficiaries.
He said Kalu had before the distribution of the items, met with the coordinators in the state and emphasized the need for peace.
Noting that “a hungry man is an angry man” he told the people that in the weeks ahead, PISE-P will unveil other phases of the programme which included infrastructural developments to sufficiently better the lots of the citizenry.
The deputy speaker then solicited the public’s support for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led federal government, stressing that the south east stood a chance to benefit immensely.
His words: “It is time for unity, it is time for peace. That is the only way we can rebuild our region: Peace and unity. Our hard work will only pay when we do it in peace and unity. It is a new dawn for the South East. The sense of belonging and importance that you need, this is the time to have it.
“Preach the good news for people to draw closer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He means well for Ndi Igbo. He has shown us love by appointing the Chief of Naval Staff, an Igbo man to take care of Nigeria’s economy that is dependent on oil and gas.
“Let us drum up support for him. Let us draw closer to the center of leadership by supporting the President. Let us send the message across. Let us all be advocates of peace. It is only when the region is calm that our longing for the release of our brother can take place.
“They relocated Abuja to Bende for the unveiling of the PISE-P. Nnamdi Kanu is from Old Bende. If the President came to Old Bende, that is to tell you I am not afraid to join hands to work with him.
“How are we playing the ball in our court now they have passed it to us? The only way we can play it back is to encourage peace to spring up around Abia State and the south eastern zone,” he submitted.
