The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Nigeria's former Minsiter of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Nigerian-American economist, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala GCON, on Thursday called for solidarity among the leaders and people of the Southeast for the development and security of the area.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, notably the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General, made the call while speaking during the ongoing Southeast Economic and Security Summit in Owerri.
She noted that the "The Southeast has so many talents and opportunities, and I think we can plan how to exploit them to the benefits of our region and its people."
Speaking on some of the challanges facing the Southeast, she noted that lack of solidarity is the biggest challange.
She said: "On our challenges, I'm sure you expect me to mention the big gaps in infrastructure and services. Yes. That is a challenge, and I will come to that. But I don't think it is our biggest challenge.
"Our biggest challenge in the Southeast is ourselves. I mean to speak frankly. We have too often been our own worst enemies. We have allowed ourselves to be divided. We have lost focus and as well lost sight of our biggest assets, namely: our sense of community and mutual support.
"We no longer have solidarity. Instead, we are fragmented as a people, and that has made us forget how to work with each other. We don't support each other. Instead, we attack and undermine each other. We are too individualistic, and individualism can be good, but not when we have to come together as one to enable us to deliver."
