Enugu State SSG Chidiebere Onyia has a problem with “disconnected diaspora” because he considers himself a diasporan and connected. This is a common misconception. Strictly stretching imagination, anyone who has lived or lives outside a state border is a “diasporan.” I do not accept the term readily, but language is a living phenomenon; words change, capture, or collapse meanings. Let it so be with “diaspora”—internal and external. We are all “diasporans”: We came to earth from deities in heavens!

In a meeting today, organized by the returning SSA (Diaspora), Ola Ezekwu, Esq, the SSG arrived prepared for the 12:00—12:30 PM meeting, that is 6 AM for us on the east coast of the USA in a below-freezing temperature of 9-degrees Fahrenheit. The onsite office was full; the online Microsoft Team platform had participants from Denmark to UAE, South Africa, and USA. The lone Californian online had to wake up before 3 AM!

For one full hour, Onyia delivered admirably on the mission and vision of Peter Mbah. He has been a true devotee of the Governor from day one. I followed the administration bumper-to-bumper for 100 days. At some point, I noted that Onyia was like the de facto governor. He has stepped back a bit with the cabinet in place, but he has not stopped stepping. Kudos to him.

Overcoming the initial poor sound quality and brief technical glitches, Onyia raved about the immense achievements of ENSG, for which President Bola Tinubu would be coming to town soon. From roads to the International Conference Center to New Enugu City (SPVs, monorail, bridges, CofO in 72 hours, etc.), Enugu State is working.

SSG Onyia spoke about strides in security, education, health, technology, construction challenges, work ethics (attendance, productivity, performance, traceability, transparency, etc.), climate change, agriculture (farm clusters, tracking use of land, etc.), mining and stabilization account for the environment; billion leaps in IRG—88% done by October, opening access to marginalized Nkanu East, scrapping shanties and slums; water reticulation; etc.

Outreach to various constituencies had been lacking in the administration, as I highlighted in an interview with Alex Ogbodo’s Eastern Eye on AhiaTV (Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024). This session is a long-overdue attempt to reconnect with the diaspora community, but it did not touch on issues pertinent to the constituency, especially those promised by Mbah in his manifesto and during the campaign.

Take only four briefly:

1. Mbah promised to adopt and use “Diaspora Programme to ensure functional health care for Ndi Enugu… [and] to provide functional primary healthcare services round the clock.” EnuguUSA just concluded the 22nd medical mission. Government support was not loud. A diasporan couple opened a hospital in Nike last weekend; only the chair for Enugu East LGA came calling—no diaspora office, no health komish.
2. “Diaspora Investment Bonds … to raise capital mainly from the Diaspora as alternative to borrowing from the international capital market….” First, the foundation for diaspora bonding must be set. The promised second international carrier remains unmentioned. Appointing qualified diasporans to positions is great, but when it comes to the constituents, it is better to carry organized bodies openly and consistently.
3. “Securitization of remittances….” is not on any table. Our remittances still go to social consumption and properties that produce little but house rats and roaches! New Enugu City may present a different front, but some are still skeptical after Centenary, Diaspora, and HELIU. No one with his marbles intact will want to dabble into investments with “high degrees of uncertainty.” Our population is aging and averse to involvements in risky investments. The children have little interest in Nigeria beyond often-forced return at Christmas—when and or where security situation is satisfactory.

This is where a diaspora commission comes in, and it won’t cost ENSG. On the contrary, the people of Enugu have everything to gain! It will require a table at the justice minister, just as we have one at EFCC, and a recalibration of the Diaspora Office for effective monitoring and quick resolution of relevant constituency issues.

4. Local Government: Gubernatorial candidate Peter Mbah agreed that our LGAs were not working; they are still not working! The promised participation in elections did not pan out. Even INEC is planning to accommodate the diaspora in 2027.

ENSG is working on broad and bodacious smart schools and health centers. They require the direct involvement of a functional town government. Community governments in Igboland depend on the diaspora population, but those “on the ground” should manage the community. “Ebe onye bi ka ọ na-awachi.”

There is much more work to be done in reconnecting with the diaspora community. It is not about appointments to sundry SAs. Any responsible diasporan reasonably engaged in an employment will need more than an appointment to relocate to Nigeria. Even those that venture home leave their families behind!

It is therefore a sacrifice to get involved in any capacity. So, ENSG has a lot to gain and nothing to lose by reconnecting with organized diaspora constituencies. From families in our 260 wards to financing projects, diasporans make appreciable contributions to our people. Those who claim diaspora must remove the cloak of clever clogs and work with dedicated denizens worldwide to coordinate our continued contributions to the development and welfare of our Enugu communities.

#moe

12.23.2024