Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), have called on Igbos living abroad to channel their investments towards transforming their home states in the South-East region.
The appeal was made during a two-day workshop held in Enugu, themed “Sensitisation and Advocacy Programme for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in South-East Nigeria.” The Enugu State Government hosted the event, which brought together participants from Abia, Imo, Anambra, and Ebonyi States.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the immense investment opportunities available in Enugu State and across the South-East. She proposed the establishment of a diaspora desk in all 17 local government areas of Enugu State and the creation of a data portal to enable Igbos in the diaspora to register and connect.
“Nigerians in the diaspora represent untapped human capital, and the South-East states must leverage this resource. Creating a diaspora fund, managed by those abroad, could drive development in the region,” she stated. Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that over $90 billion had been remitted to Nigeria in the last five years by diaspora Nigerians, underscoring their economic impact.
Representing Governor Mbah, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, echoed this call for diaspora engagement. He urged Igbos abroad to contribute not just financially but socially to drive sustainable development in the region. Onyia praised the entrepreneurial and industrious spirit of the South-East, describing it as a foundation for community-driven progress.
“This workshop is a rallying call for Ndigbo in the diaspora to prioritize investing back home. The synergy between the diaspora and the South-East presents unique opportunities for fostering mutual trust and development across the region’s five states,” Onyia noted.
He further highlighted that Enugu State recognizes the diaspora community as key stakeholders in its ambitious plan to increase the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $4.4 billion to $30 billion. This vision aligns with Mbah’s earlier initiatives, such as launching the Enugu Diaspora Engagement and Investment Unit in September 2023, during the state’s economic growth and investment roundtable.
Governor Mbah described the workshop as a crucial step in unlocking the region’s vast potential for economic growth. “Today, we come together to explore the untapped potential of diaspora participation in the South-East. This milestone is pivotal for securing a prosperous future for our region,” he remarked.
The special adviser to the governor on diaspora matters, Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu, also stressed the importance of directing resources homeward. She noted that the South-East holds a special place in the hearts of many diaspora Igbos who return home annually.
She affirmed that Governor Mbah’s leadership had made Enugu State an investor-friendly environment. “There’s no better time than now to invest at home. Enugu is positioned for growth, and we need our diaspora to help propel that progress,” Ezekwu concluded.
