As part of efforts to develop the state, Abia State governor Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has signed into law the Abia State Diaspora Bill which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly.
The Bill will pave way for Abians in diaspora to make more impressive contributions in the area of farming, health, education and industry.
Speaking shortly after signing the Law at Government House, Umuahia, the Governor commended the State House of Assembly for responding to the yearnings of the Abia Community in the Diaspora through the crafting of a Bill that would provide legal backing to their participation in governance of the state, a statement made available to ABN TV by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka says.
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According to the release, the governor promised to create a platform for Abians from all walks of life to participate in the governance process noting that Abia is endowed with men and women with great capabilities scattered across the world.
The Governor emphasised on the need to leverage on the abundant human capacity that abound in the State and abroad to develop the State.
He recalled that those in the Diaspora have made direct returns and remittances which account for major foreign inflow into the country, the release added.
It read in part, “Dr. Ikpeazu who highlighted some of the interventions anchored by Diaspora Abians including the Geriatric Care, Training and Retraining of Teachers , Medical Outreaches amongst others, commended them for supporting the building of a Specialist Pediatric Hospital in the State. He announced that Abia State has just received two containers of medical supplies out of four donated by those in the Diaspora to drive the specialist hospital and congratulated Abians in the Diaspora for supporting the effort.
“The Governor further announced that the Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters would henceforth serve as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Diaspora Commission and implored those in the Diaspora to continue to look homeward.
“Earlier, 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 a platform that will bring about socioeconomic economic development to the State.
“Also speaking, 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. Pointing out 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
“The Permanent Secretary/Clerk of Abia State House of Assembly, Dr John Pedro Irokansi presented the Bill to the Governor for signing.
“Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof-acb Agbazuere and some other aides of the Governor witnessed the event.”
