National Diaspora Day: Enugu Diasporans celebrate Gov. Ugwuanyi, school children in style

Enugu State Diaspora Community has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for providing enabling environment and mobilizing indigenes of the state resident abroad for direct foreign investments (FDI) in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the Enugu State Diaspora Community when they embarked on an outreach programme in schools across the three senatorial districts of the state to commemorate this year’s National Diaspora Day celebration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Bar. Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu, expressed the delight of the Diasporans towards the governor’s support to them as well as his untiring efforts in driving direct foreign investments to the state.

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Mrs. Ezekwu disclosed that the Enugu Diaspora Community, during the three-day National Diaspora Day Outreach Programme targeted at children in Nursery and Primary schools, distributed Anti-Malaria and Deworming medication, Mosquito nets, school bags, writing materials, face masks and hand sanitizers, among others. They also sensitized the school children on COVID-19 and its prevention.

“We will continue to reach the remaining local government areas that we were not able to visit. We want to thank our Governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for all the support his administration has been giving to the Diaspora Community.

“We also thank Ndi Enugu Diaspora who contributed immensely to this outreach programme especially DEZUBIK Pharmary(Akure), Mr. Val Ozoigbo (USA), Engr. Val Chude (USA), Chief Benson Ejindu (USA), Sir. Anterus Chikoba Eze (UK), and Engr. Francis Udenta (USA).

“Others are Mr. Kene Ufondu (USA), Mr. Bona Anioke (Switzerland), Chief Ikechukwu Asadu (USA), Jeanio Manufacturing Company (Enugu), and Enugu Diaspora Organization (EDO)”, the Special Adviser said.

Mrs. Ezekwu, who was a guest speaker at the National Diaspora Day Webinar held in Abuja yesterday, with the theme ‘Diaspora Integration for National Peace and Development’, disclosed that the topic was apt, timely and in consonance with the peace and development initiatives of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration in Enugu State.

The national event was graced by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon Tolulope Akande –Sadipe and the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa, among others. The Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Mrs. Okonjo Iweala, participated virtually

Speaking further, the Special Adviser pointed out that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration has remained consistent with its open-door-policy on Diaspora-related issues through creation of conducive environment and strong working synergy that is of mutual benefit to Enugu citizens in the Diaspora and the state government, especially in the area of business investment.

“Enugu State is one of the safest and peaceful states in Nigeria. We have a very robust Diaspora Community living all over the World.

“The Enugu State government has over the years, remained committed to her Open-Door-Policy on Diaspora related issues and has created a very conducive environment, an enabling and synergistic relationship that is mutually beneficial to Enugu Citizens in Diaspora and the state government to invest and do business.

“This year’s theme, “Integration for National Peace and Development” is very remarkable because it touches on the very pillars of our society. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is a man of peace. His style of governance makes for enduring peace in the state by reaching out to all stakeholders, the Diasporas inclusive.

“The Diaspora Office has successfully partnered with many Diaspora Associations around the world to execute Projects that are of great value to the Citizens of Enugu State,” she said.

While listing some of the achievements, Barr. Ezekwu stated that her office, in line with Gov. Ugwuanyi’s four-point agenda, mobilized the Enugu Diaspora community to provide skills acquisition and vocational training for disabled people at Emene and Oji River Rehab Centre as well as inmates at Oji-River Leprosy Centre.

Others interventions by the Diaspora Office include donations to the International Committee of the Red Cross and motherless babies homes, donation of ICT equipment to a centre at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu; donation of relief materials to displaced people in Ukpabi-Nimbo community, in Uzo Uwani LGA of the state; donation of agricultural machinery and educational materials well as medical intervention programmes in various parts of the state.

“This office, in partnership with Soroptomist International, donated huge Medical Equipment worth over N50,000,000.00 to Enugu State Government for enhanced healthcare delivery. We have carried out a comprehensive medical mission in all 17 LGAs of the State.

“We have made interventions in the lives and living conditions of widows in the state and we have mobilized resources to rebuild school structures.

“We have done quite well and that is why we cannot overemphasize the importance of a seamless relationship with our Diaspora communities across the world, because I know that with stronger relationships, we will be able to achieve more for our people,” she stated.