Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has signed into Law, the Abia State Diaspora Bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
The Abia State Diaspora Law will Officially regularize participation of Abians in Diaspora in the socio-economic development of the state as well as develop and coordinate the implementation of policies that affect those in diaspora thus giving them a sense of belonging in the affairs of the state.
Speaking shortly after signing the Law at Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu commended the State House of Assembly for responding to the yearnings of the Abia Community in the Diaspora through the crafting of the Bill.
He said; “From 2015,i promised to create a platform that will enable every Abian irrespective of their political persuasion and location across the globe to participate in the governance of the state.
“I am of the firm belief that the greatest asset God has blessed us in Abia is the people of Abia. We have great capacity in all fields of endeavor and we must leverage this advantage which God has presented to us in order for us to drive growth and development going forward”.
Governor Ikpeazu acknowledged the interventions which the state has witnessed in the past six years courtesy of the robust engagement of Abians in the Diaspora Community with the state government.
He added that Abians in Diaspora have made impressive contributions in the area of farming, health, education and industry. Farming Industry,Education, medical outreach which has veritably supported his administration’s efforts to move the state to greater heights.
“I may not have the statistics to speak about direct returns and remittances of the diaspora community but we all know that globally speaking, in Nigeria today and indeed in Africa, Diaspora remittances account for major channel of foreign currency inflow into our country behind only crude oil”, Ikpeazu said.
The Governor who announced that the Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters would henceforth serve as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Diaspora Commission congratulated Abains in Diaspora who have supported his adminstration efforts to move the state forward and implored them to continue to look homeward.
The sponsor of the Bill and Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency Hon. Mike Ukoha commended the Governor for signing the Bill into Law and described it as a revolution and platform that will bring about socioeconomic economic development to the State.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Erondu-Ogbonna said Abia is the first State to have the Diaspora Commission.
She noted that with the Governor’s assent, the Diaspora bill which is a Federal legislation has been domesticated in the State and thanked the Governor accepting the noble idea.
