Enugu & Diaspora:

Enugu & Diaspora:  A Noteworthy Quest for Synergy

EZEJIOFO SUNNY UDEH

espatfame@aol.com

Enugu, Nigeria

December 4, 2015

….the result of such intellectual gathering and its possible annual repeats would go a long way to create synergic effect and boost the economic development of Enugu State veering it off dependence on the dwindling oil money of Abuja…….Dr. Udeh

Time flies as they say, but the good experience is fresh on my memory.  One of such is dabbling into the exciting political arena of Nigeria.  It was September 23, 2010, when I stood among family, friends and supporters seeking their support for my quest to represent Udi-Ezeagu federal constituency in the House of Representatives.  As a returnee I registered with the Enugu Diaspora Organization (EDO) to earn a place at the Filbon Hotel in New Haven the bastion of most Diaspora political activities.  It was a great experience happening at a time of blossoming and cordial relationship between Enugu State people and the Diaspora communities or so I thought.

However, this piece is not to bore you about a long lost race and the political experience, it is not to rehash the state of EDO and it is not to explain noticeable frosty outcomes of the past years, but rather the thrust is to highlight the inherent economic, social and developmental possibilities in forging a lasting alliance, cooperation and collaboration between the Enugu State people and the Enugu Diaspora communities scattered all over the world. Also, it is to emphasize the importance of strategically planned and continuous constructive engagement between the governments of the day and the members of Diaspora.

At the dawn of democracy, the former President was guest speaker at the first Diaspora dialogue in Atlanta in 2000 where he advised that with the advances in science and technology of communications, and with the new approach to economics as being knowledge-based, drawing on intellect and skill both near and far, which has become not only morally right but expedient to seek for and utilize the knowledge and skills of Nigerians wherever they might be.  Before President Obasanjo’s call, many Nigerian Diaspora organizations made positive impact on the economy of Nigeria, including the Enugu Diaspora organizations especially Enugu Associations USA and its popular Medical Mission.  However, the call did receive positive responses and refocused priorities and programs on the new governmental engagement facilitating the formation of Nigeria Diaspora Organization (NIDO).

Fortunately for Enugu State, it was in 2007 that His Excellency Governor Sullivan Chime keyed into the Diaspora.  In recognition of the active Enugu Diaspora communities scattered throughout the world, Gov. Chime established a cabinet-level Office of Diaspora under a Special Adviser.  He did not stop there as he incorporated many members of the Diaspora into key political offices such as commissioners and advisers in the ministries of Capital Territory, Commerce, Trade & Industry, Environment and Transport throughout his eight years tenure.  Even a member of Diaspora was once a double commissioner manning two ministries at a time.  Unquestionably, Governor Chime was seen as “Diaspora friendly”.

Perhaps, the supposedly cozy relationship between Enugu Diaspora and Enugu state people was not what it seemed on the surface.  There was simmering discontent with the Diaspora community, which emerged to the forefront during the stakeholders’ meeting at the Old Government Lodge. The newly elected Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon.  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi met to discuss forming his government.   As expected, the bottom did come off when the teaming majority of the stakeholders present, without mincing words, rejected any political appointment to members of the Diaspora community.

Historically, such damning verdict would easily create a path of departure for the new administration.  However, in this case, the masses were not right.  As Oscar Wilde would opine, everything popular is wrong.  Leadership requires uncommon thinking.  Leadership does not always prescribe for the leader to listen to the herd and follow the crowd, if so, what is the need for leadership.  Leaders are to lead.  Leaders are to make tough decisions on behalf of the led.  Such decision is made after careful examination of credible alternatives and review of the long-term benefit of the people…...the entire people of Enugu state. 

The good news is that the new man at the helm is seasoned in the art and science of governance, leadership and politics of the day.  He is a leader who vowed to tow a path of seamless continuity, who pledged to demystify leadership and governance, and above all, who won with an overwhelming majority enabling him to build up monumental political capital used for the peace and tranquility prevalent in Enugu State today.  In his wisdom and his leadership sagacity, His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi decided to do the right thing for the people of Enugu State by retaining the Office of Diaspora. 

His Excellency furthermore appointed members of Diaspora community as commissioners of two key ministries – Ministry of Health and Ministry of Trade, Commerce & Industries.  He appointed a Special Adviser for the Office of Diaspora with directives to improve on the benefits, relevance and relationship of Diaspora community and the people of Enugu State.  Looking closely, it is observable that the alignment of Office of Diaspora and Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry is not by accident, rather a work of a strategic thinking administration poised for bigger things.

It is of interest to note that His Excellency is one of the few governors who recognized the obvious impact of the falling oil prices on the economy and in his inaugural address he called for a diversification strategy away from oil dependence.  He reached out to the Enugu Diaspora community seeking their involvement in the economic development of the state through investments.  And he followed up by constituting a high-powered Economic Advisory Committee to engage in detailed study to map out new economic strategic direction for the state, highlight the attractiveness of Enugu State, the competitive advantage cum core competencies and why Enugu State should and ought to be the destination of economic development investments in Nigeria.

Ordinarily, Diaspora interaction and home country do yield benefits such as the 21 billion Naira remittances to Nigeria in 2014.  Most Diaspora organizations engage in charitable and philanthropy programs.  There are opportunities for economic growth through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and other intangible and less discernible benefits accruing to the home country.  However, such benefits can only be maximized if there is constructive engagement and interaction on constant basis between the public and private sectors.  Synergy, which many tout and hype in discussing Diaspora matters, could be illusive especially when there is no plan to achieve it.

Understandably, my take is that the Enugu State government is on the right track to meeting the challenges of maximizing the benefits of Diaspora in line with acceptable standard and best practices.  The action and body language of the Chief Executive presents an opportunity to bring the entire Enugu Diaspora communities together with Enugu State stakeholders to exchange and cross-fertilize ideas for the mutual benefit and interest on both sides.  It is sort of creating a gateway for genuine Diaspora participation in the state and national development.  And the result of such intellectual gathering and its possible annual repeats would go a long way to create synergic effect and boost the economic development of Enugu State veering its dependence on the dwindling oil money of Abuja.

In one of my past papers titled “Pathway Home for Diaspora”, I had highlighted and reiterated the sentimental attachment of Diaspora to home country as evident in the statements of prominent Diasporas.  Professor Manthia Diawara, director of the Institute of Afro-American Affairs at New York University, stated:

This is ironic, because most people think that nostalgia is not historic, that it's just a refuge-a place you go to run away from history. But actually my past is my future, because by going back to Africa, every time I go, I'm awakening the ghosts of my history-the Soninke,1 the Malinke,2 my own mother, all the people who had invested in me. Every time I go back to Africa, I'm actually calling them into action and they are projecting me into the future, so my past is my future in that sense.

Our own Diaspora brother the renowned Professor Emeagwali added:

Africa has bitten at my soul since I left. My roots are still in Africa. My house is filled with Africana - food, paintings, music, and clothes - to remind me of Africa. I long to visit the motherland, but I must confess that when Africa called me to return home, I couldn't answer that call.

While many do have the urge to go home, the problem is whether we are prepared to engage in the hard work and sacrifice needed to facilitate our return by being part of the new vista of opportunity being offered by the Enugu State government through its Office of Diaspora, whether we are prepared to answer the call to be part of the process of rebuilding Enugu State by attracting foreign direct investment and outsourcing firms, and whether we do so, knowing that it is no longer what you take from government but what you bring and how many jobs you create that makes all the difference.

In closing, the ball is now in the courts of the Enugu Diaspora worldwide, as every association and organizations of Ndi-Enugu in whichever country you are and operate – Americas, Asia, Europe and other African countries, to join forces with the Enugu State government to chart a new strategic path for the economic development of Enugu State.  If we can agree that former Governor Chime during his term was “Diaspora friendly”, you can imagine what to expect in the season of seamless continuity with the ability of leadership to go against the grain in making tough decisions (retaining Office of Diaspora) and the blessing and support to get it right by presenting the avenue for engagement between Enugu Diaspora Community and Enugu State Stakeholders in line with acceptable standard and best practices.  I leave it to you to contemplate His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his able leadership as it regards to the Diaspora.  Be a part of it for this is just the beginning.
Dr. Udeh is a professional with 22 years of combined business and governmental experience; served in City of New York from 1993 and left as Deputy Director in 2014.  Dr. Udeh has been adjunct professor from 2004 till date at Berkeley College, Trident University, South University and Southern New Hampshire University, a policy analyst, social commentator, strategist and management consultant at www.espatsoluions.us , a 2011 PDP aspirant for Federal House of Representatives, Udi-Ezeagu Constituency, and PDP stakeholder in his Egede/Umoka ward of Udi in