Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, performed the foundation laying ceremony of a multi-million naira Enugu Diaspora Conference Centre initiated by the Enugu Diaspora Organisation (EDO).
Speaking at the event, Mbah said the 1000 seating capacity conference center situated at Diaspora Gardens, by Centenary Estate, Enugu, was part of his administration’s determination to create an enabling environment for indigenes in diaspora to contribute to the development of the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, the Governor said it was time all indigenes of Enugu worked together to make the state a destination point for commercial and industrial development.
“What we’re doing here today is an example of ‘Aku Luo Uno” meaning, taking one’s wealth home where it is most needed. We’re Igbos, we do not have any other place.
“I’m happy that a group of people came together and carried this burden, this big and heavy burden and today, we’ve seen the result.
“I can assure you that, I’ll take your two major desires back to His Excellency, one being the establishment of a ‘Commission’ for diaspora, and two, the bill for the diaspora. And being a disruptive innovator that he is, I can assure you that in no distant time, we would have these things established,” he said.
The President, Enugu Diaspora Organisation (EDO), Mr Kenneth Udichi, thanked the governor for finding the time to lay the foundation of the Diaspora Conference Centre.
According to him, “We look forward to His Excellency and all the distinguished Enugu State indigenes, supporting the actualisation of the Conference Centre for the Diaspora, financially.
Udichi appealed for a quick passage of the Enugu Diaspora Commission Bill, adding that the passage of the Bill would give the people in the diaspora the confidence to come home and invest.
He said, “Enugu is the face of the diaspora in the South-East.
“The Diaspora Commission Bill, was there few months before you were elected Governor of Enugu State, the fact that the bill is now before your office through the Attorney General of the State Office, is part of the tools you need to work with, in harnessing the Diaspora interest in investment with Enugu State of today.
“The Diaspora Commission Bill was a selfless effort put together, to encourage our members in Diaspora to be part of the new Enugu State. A Diaspora commission that is properly managed, will attract a lot of overseas investment, into Enugu State.”
He promised to convince other diaspora indigenes to come home to invest in Enugu State through bond instruments etc.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, and the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Samuel Asadu (Igwe Ogadagidi), amongst others.
