Anambra State Holds Virtual Diaspora Conference

Speakers at the first edition of Anambra Diaspora Conference have called for a seamless communication and relationship between Anambra State government and Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora.

They made the call at the Conference which held virtually.

The conference which is the brain child of the Anambra Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism, attracted Ndi Anambra from within and outside Nigeria.

In his remarks, Governor Willie Obiano said that his government sees Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora, made up of bright professionals, as key stakeholders in the development of the state.

Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, Governor Obiano who noted that the conference was an opportunity to promote tourism, appreciated the contributions of the Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora in support of the socio-economic development of the state.

In her comments, the wife of the governor, Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, who pointed out that the conference was timely, described Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora as strong partners with the Anambra government especially in the area of remittances.

Mrs. Obiano represented by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, explained that one of the things that help economic inflow is stability noting  that the Diaspora can create a hub where youths can be gainfully engaged instead of getting involved in societal vices.

In his welcome address, the Anambra State commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Anierobi, said that the aim of the conference was  to provide a platform for a purposeful engagement between Anambra State government and Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora.

He mentioned that the conference also provided an avenue to create awareness on programmes and policies of the government and  engage those in diaspora to key into and participate in the development of Anambra state.

Speaking on the potentials of Nigerians in the Diaspora, Chairman Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora for their contributions to the country and their state in particular and harped on the importance of unity.

In their separate presentations, the president Anambra State Association, ASA Worldwide, Dr. Nwachukwu Anaekwenze, and Women Leader, ASA Women USA, Dr. Anthonia Umeh, listed their contributions to the state, their challenges and called for effective dialogue between  diasporans and the state government to enable them do more for the development of the state.

In his comments, the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, said the conference should be a constant interaction between the two groups and stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for ICT to thrive.

In their various comments, the chairperson on the occasion, Ambassador Vivian Okeke and Prince Henry Egenti, ASA UK, emphasized on the lack of effective coordination between the Anambra government and the diasporans and the need to remove identified hurdles to enable the diasporans to invest more in the state.

Other participants who spoke include an Executive Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, Mr. Ifediora Amobi, Mr. Christian Onuorah from UK, Co-Chair ASA USA, Mr. Michael Iloegbunam, Miss Andrea Okeke among others.