Diaspora Experts Join Efforts To Develop Akwa Ibom Economy

Indigenes of Akwa Ibom state in the diaspora have extended hands of fellowship to work with the home state government in the task of holistic development of the state and the people under the governor Umo Eno-led administration’s ARISE Agenda blueprint.

Speaking under the aegis of Association of Akwa Ibom Communities’ Presidents Worldwide (ASACOP), during a Biennial Conference held in Uyo, the state capital at the weekend, the organisers explained that the event became necessary in order to bring together community leaders and branch Presidents of ASACOP from over 21 countries of the world for aggregation of development ideas and unity of purpose for development.

Speaking on the theme: “Akwa Ibom State Across the World: Promoting Diaspora Values,” the International President of the Association, Obong Itoro Akpan-Iquot, emphasised the importance of unity, cooperation, and self-reliance among Akwa Ibom people at home and abroad.

He urged indigenes to embrace mutual trust, collective efforts, and a commitment to advancing the fortunes of the State through different fields of education, business, industry and Job creation.

Underscoring the importance of education in the growth advancement of the state, the group donated educational grants to 63 indigent beneficiaries across the 31 local government areas.

He said: “Together we can achieve even more for our people, rather than as separate entities. We firmly believe that we are the only ones, as Akwa Ibom people, to build and develop our state. “We have a deeper and wider pool of individuals and professionals to draw from. We are unapologetically Akwa Ibom. We want Akwa Ibom to be the best State in Nigeria and the world. To this effect, we encourage the establishment of our own businesses, then supporting our own businesses financially and the hiring of our people,” Engr. Iquot stated.

To further demonstrate the values being promoted by ASACOP, Engr. Iquot disclosed that one of their members, Engr. Uwem Iquan, had finalised arrangements to commission a table water company in Nkim Itam, in Itu LGA.

The venture, which comes with an initial investment capital of N300 million, he explained, would create employment opportunities for hundreds of Akwa Ibom indigenes and contribute significantly to the local economy.

He, therefore, made a case for the inclusion of the diaspora members in the State governance and development processes and urged the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to “initiate and sponsor legislation that will institutionalise diaspora participation.”

According to him, the proposed legislation should be titled: “A Bill TO Established Akwa Ibom Indigenes In Diaspora And Internal Migrants Commission,” explaining that when passed into law, would serve as a framework to “coordinate and provide an organised system of collaboration and engagement of Akwa Ibom indigenes outside the State in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Akwa Ibom State.”

Delivering the keynote address, Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP), highlighted the economic and developmental benefits that could accrue to the State from strategic collaborations between the government and wealthy or influential Akwa Ibom indigenes in the diaspora.

He stressed that “the diaspora community is a vital resource for the State in areas such as industrialisation, foreign remittances, human capital development, expertise, global networking, and building sustainable linkages between Akwa Ibom and other parts of the world.”

The chairman of State Traditional Rulers Council (TRC)and paramount ruler of Udung Uko LGA, Edidem Bassey Etim Edet, praised the Association for its vision and for being good ambassadors of Akwa Ibom in their respective countries. He also called for unity, stressing that a united Akwa Ibom would be better positioned to harness its abundant human and material resources for the equitable growth and development of the state.