Ihedioha: Imo Citizens Demand Ihedioha For Liaison Office In London UK.

The people of Imo State across the United Kingdom converged and discussed.

Ejike Ikezuagu – UK

In what has been described as a landmark last Saturday in London, after a protracted political polarization within the groups, the people of Imo state residing in the United Kingdom converged and discussed on how they can collectively contribute to rebuild the state for all.

After the meeting, they demanded from the Imo state Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to make use of the provision of the law to keep the people in diaspora engaged in order to contribute in rebuilding the state to transform the life of the people of the state for better.

They requested the governor to establish a liaison office in London for the people of the state living in the United Kingdom.

In a communique released to the press after the meeting, they said, “His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was a member of the House of Representative for twelve (12) years, and the number sixth person of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Bill came before the House of Representative when His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha was overseeing constitutional review in Nigeria amongst other things.

According to them, they said, the Bill was later passed by the House of Representative, the Senate and assented to by His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federation, Prof Yemi Osibanjo”.

They reminded that, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha must not have forgotten, so quickly, this laudable Bill that became an Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it is hoped that as the Executive Governor of Imo State, he will domesticate this Bill in Imo State.

The meeting which was attended by Imo state notable individuals, professionals, lawyers, bigwigs, and leaders of various groups, representing their organisations in the United Kingdom was used to draw out strategies on how the state will be economically boosted to an enviable position, utilizing their potentials and skills as professionals in their various fields.

Sir Barr Chibuzo Ubochi.

Interacting with Ogene Ndigbo Newspaper, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in the UK, Sir Barr Chibuzo Ubochi, it was learnt that, Sir Ubochi has been a two term legal adviser of NIDO in Europe, and currently the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora in the UK and he was part of the lobby group from the Diaspora that ensured that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Act was passed at the National Assembly.

According to Sir Ubochi, he said, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Act established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission which is currently headed by, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Commission is charged with the responsibility for coordinating and providing an organised system of collaborations of Nigerians in Diaspora for their contributions by identifying, preserving and mobilizing the human capital and material resources and expertise to the general development of Nigeria.

Sir Ubochi indicated that the Act listed the composition of the board as consisting of representatives from ministries and of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).

He said, “some progressive States in Nigeria like Lagos State, Abia State and many more have already appointed Special Assistance on Diaspora Affairs to assist the state government in tapping into the opportunities that its Diaspora holds”

He continued, stating that Diaspora’s remittance to Nigeria in 2018 was worth more than the earnings from oil and gas. This is something Imo State cannot afford to ignore, he advised.

Sir Ubochi also said, Imo State is strategically located at the heart of the Southeast of Nigeria and it is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria and well known for its great hospitality. He maintained that making Imo state, the Nigeria Diaspora hub should always be a priority.

Sir Ubochi said, this should be started with the appointment of Special Assistance on Diaspora for Imo State, who must be a member of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).

On the question of, if he will like to assist the government to achieve this, Sir Ubochi made it known to Ogene Ndigbo Newspaper in London that, if called to do so he will, he said.

He maintained that Imo state is blessed as it has the highest number of country Chairmen past and present in NIDO worldwide.

Finally, he advised the governor to consider working with NIDO worldwide in order to properly harness the potentials of the people in Diaspora.

He said, though currently, His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha is in the executive arm of government, he is a seasoned legislator and would always be known as one and using the instrument of an organisation (NIDO), he helped to establish can only be the wise thing to do, he concluded.

They described Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as a true legislator, and requested for Nigeria in Diaspora Act Commission for Imo State.

Chief Chika Duru.

In the same vein, the Chairperson Imo State PDP UK, Chief Chika Duru said, the idea of having Imo House in United Kingdom will be a plus to His Excellency, Rt. Hon, Emeka Ihedioha’s government and is a unique one. She said, it will also make them to know how many Imo Citizens are residing in the United Kingdom. According to her, she said, it will re-strategize the party ahead of 2023 election to draw lots of Imo people together under one umbrella of PDP. She emphasized that the people will fill the impact of the government as regards to the inclusiveness His Excellency has been talking about.

She continued and said, “many of us who believe and has a lot to offer to our father land, but feel nobody will give us the chance, because we are in diaspora will start coming up”.

The Imo PDP UK Chairperson said, “I know a lot of technocrats and specialists from Imo State who want to impact in the community development, but don’t know where and how to start.”

Chief Chika enumerated lots of benefits the Imo people will gain from having Imo house in London and requested the governor to put the house in place in the UK, she said.

Nze Emeka Nelson Ughamba.

The Secretary, Imo State Stakeholders UK, Nze Emeka Nelson Ughamba said, creating the Imo State Liaising Office in the United Kingdom will be a big help to the people of Imo State and their friends. He said, it will bring a big connection to the foreign investors who would like to invest in the State and also maintained that it will help in boosting the tourism in the State.

According to Nze Ughamba, he said the office will also help in bringing all Imo people to work together and discuss important agendas that will help the governor in Imo State .
Nze Ughamba said, it will also be a good help in accounting the number of Imo people in the UK.