A strategic development and business advisory expert, Mr. Anthony Dibor, has urged the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mr. Mark Okoye, to consider establishing a Family Support and Welfare Advisory Desk as part of the Commission’s development framework.
Dibor made the recommendation during an exclusive media chat held on Monday, June 15, in Awka, Anambra State.
According to him, the proposed initiative aligns with the SEDC’s mandate of promoting sustainable development, human capital development, community empowerment, social integration, and socioeconomic advancement across the South-East states.
He explained that a Family Support and Welfare Advisory Desk would provide a safe and confidential platform for community-based mediation, early intervention, and family support services.
“The initiative aligns with global best practices in family welfare and dispute resolution. It offers a non-criminal approach to addressing family conflicts, promoting fairness among siblings, and reinforcing respect within the umunna system,” he said.
Dibor noted that where welfare challenges exist, the desk could also serve as an access point for vulnerable families to benefit from skills acquisition programmes, micro-grants, and responsible venture capital initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.
According to him, such interventions would help address some of the socioeconomic factors that contribute to disorderliness and insecurity within communities.
“Many people remain silent out of respect, self-preservation, or the desire to protect the image of their families. In many cases, challenges within families stem from economic pressures, stress, or gaps in understanding rather than deliberate intent. Therefore, authority should always be exercised with care and accountability,” he stated.
He further stressed that development should not be measured solely by physical infrastructure but also by the strength and stability of families, which he described as the first institution of society.
“A platform dedicated to mediation, welfare guidance, and economic empowerment can contribute significantly to building peaceful homes and stable communities,” Dibor added.
He maintained that by integrating family welfare, mediation, and livelihood support into its development model, the SEDC would strengthen the family as the foundation of nation-building.
“Strong families create empowered individuals, and empowered individuals build stable communities. Strong families mean a stronger South-East,” he concluded.
