By Kunle Sanni –
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged young Nigerians, particularly those in the South-East, to see themselves as central to the nation’s development, describing them as key drivers of Nigeria’s future rather than passive observers.
Shettima made the remarks while launching a 25-year economic development blueprint for the South-East at the South-East Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders’ Forum held in Enugu.
According to a statement signed on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the South East Investment Company Limited. The company is expected to mobilise funding from the diaspora, capital markets and development finance institutions to support infrastructure and industrial development in the region.
Shettima said the Vision 2050 blueprint marked a departure from short-term governance approaches, introducing a structured, multi-decade framework aimed at transforming the South-East’s economy.
“This is not another layer of bureaucracy, but a delivery institution focused on tangible outcomes such as jobs, productivity and growth,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s overall strength depends on the prosperity of its individual regions.
The Vice President also highlighted the importance of the South-East’s global diaspora, noting that partnerships at home and abroad would be critical to driving sustainable development. He encouraged young people in the region to embrace their role in shaping both regional and national progress.
Earlier, the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Peter Mbah, said the Vision 2050 initiative would position the South-East to align effectively with the national Vision 2060 agenda. He proposed the creation of a South-East common market and described the initiative as the reawakening of an economic giant.
Governors Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Alex Otti of Abia State and Charles Soludo of Anambra State also expressed support for the Vision 2050 framework, pledging cooperation in its implementation. They said the plan would help tackle unemployment and poverty while unlocking the region’s economic potential through transparent leadership and coordinated execution.
