By Nanji Nandang
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, southeast Nigeria, Friday, appointed his Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters, Ngozi Ngozi Erondu-Ogbonna, to serve as Acting Executive Secretary of the State Diaspora Commission, as he signed into law the Diaspora Bill, recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking shortly after signing the Law in Umuahia, the state capital, the Governor commended the State House of Assembly for responding to the yearnings of the Abia community in the diaspora through the crafting of a Bill that would provide legal backing to the participation of Abians around the world in the governance of the State.
Ikpeazu stressed the need to leverage on the abundant human capacity that abound in the state and abroad to develop Abia, noting that they have made impressive contributions in the areas of farming, health, education and industry in Abia state.
While urging those in the diaspora to always look homeward, the governor promised to create a platform for Abians from all walks of life to participate in the governance process noting that Abia is endowed with men and women with great capabilities scattered across the world.
He applauded the Abia community in the diaspora for supporting the government in building a specialist paediatric hospital in the state, noting that the state received two containers of medical supplies out of four donated by those in the diaspora to drive the specialist hospital.
In the same vein, the sponsor of the Bill and Member representing Arochukwu state constituency, Mike Ukoha commended the Governor for signing the bill into law and described it as a revolution and a platform that will bring about socioeconomic economic development to the state.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, said Abia is the first state to have the Diaspora Commission and has successfully domesticated the diaspora bill.
