Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has hinted that some American billionaires, have indicated strong interest to invest in the South-East geopolitical zone after tracing their Igbo ancestry.
Chief Iwuanyanwu made the disclosure Thursday night while featuring in the August edition of the Ikengaonline monthly Town-hall virtual meeting.
He said that the cheering development was one of the gains of his recent visit to Igbo diaspora community, an opportunity he used to woo foreign investors.
Recall that during the visit, former United States of America General William. E (Kip) Ward; and internet wizard, Dr Emmitt McHenry, were inducted into the Igbo nation after tracing their ancestry to the race through DNA test.
General Ward was the first Commander of the US Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany in 2007; while Dr Emmitt is a renowned African American computer guru and the Chairman/CEO of Defense Manufacturing.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that he had discussions with some of the inductees who assured him of their readiness to invest in Igboland because their forefathers told them that they were Igbo.
“During my recent trip to the US, I discussed business with those illustrious Americans who have now declared for Igbo.
“One of them told me that he has a lot of investments in India. He told me that some years ago Indians were in a bad state but they decided to give priority to agriculture and health. Today, India is the biggest supplier of drugs to the world.
“In fact one of them told me that he has some companies in India that supplies drugs. He told me that Igboland has got so much raw materials for pharmaceutical industry. It doesn’t require anything complex – just honesty.
“Today, the West looks up to Africa for nurses and technicians. If we have proper schools that train them in partnership programme with some of the good schools overseas, they can be employed abroad after graduation, and they will bring diaspora returns.
“There are also other business gurus who are now happy that seaport is now on the concurrent list. They are ready to invest in the sector including railway.
“We have potential seaports around Njaba in Imo State, and Azumini in Abia State. So, my trip to the US was very successful.
“I have planned that we are going to establish new towns and new industries. In Abia we will reactivate Enyimba City project.
“Oguta Lake is now being dredged to the Atlantic Ocean. When I went to America, I saw Americans who want to invest. While I was in the US, some of them declared for Igbo.
“They told us that their forefathers, many centuries ago, came into America but before they died, they left a message that they were taken from Igboland to America, and that their children should locate Igboland because they are Igbos.
“These people are rich and very prominent. They have all declared with their children that they are Igbo. And as the Ohanaeze PG, I have received them on behalf of Ndigbo and issued them with certificate of induction. I’m expecting that they will come back to Igboland.
In fact, I have discussed with Igbo Governors and appointed two of them Gen. Ward, and McHenry into the Presidential Advisory Council of Ohanaeze.
“All these people are doing everything now to help us develop Igboland.
The Ohanaeze PG further disclosed that he held useful discussions with the Igbo community in the United Kingdom where he was also able to reconcile the three factions of Ohanaeze leadership in the UK.
He said he was given a heroic welcome at the Heathrow airport by the Igbo community in London, and later hosted by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain.
The Ohanaeze helmsman further disclosed that while in London, he held discussions with some British investors who indicated strong interest to invest in Igboland based on a previous meeting he had in Enugu with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
“At the Heathrow airport, I was received with garlands. The white people were looking. They said that Igbo leader was coming to London.
“While in London, I got some British business people willing to invest in the South-East. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria had visited me in Enugu, and agreed to do business with our people. Those who knew about the meeting called me and said they were willing to do business with us.”
Chief Iwuanyanwu predicted a great future and hope for Ndigbo, urging the youths to keep hope alive.
He restated his commitment to use his networks in partnership with other stakeholders including the South-East Governors to create the conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive in Igboland for the good of all.
The explosive programme which was transmitted live via Urban Radio 94.5 FM Enugu, Omalicha 91.1 FM Owerri; Ikengaonline Facebook; YouTube and other social media platforms, was co-hosted by a US-based medical doctor and prolific writer, Dr Osmond Agbo; and veteran Journalist, Dr Chido Onumah.
It was also relayed live via other Ikengaonline media partners including Njenje Media.
Ikengaonline is a South-East-focused online media outfit which aims at giving voice to citizens of the South-East, parts of Rivers and Delta states, and highlights the challenges facing the region.
Ikengaonline is a publication of Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI), a non-profit entity that seeks to promote positive socio-cultural values, accountability and good governance through media and public education.
It is part of the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project, a multi-level intervention for media independence and government accountability, managed by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by MacArthur Foundation.
