… as NiDCOM Chairman lauds governor’s investment in infrastructure, security

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged the Nigeria diaspora community to consider Enugu as their first choice of investment destination, stressing that his administration has created robust mechanisms to facilitate their investment process and ensure high return on investment.

This was even as the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the governor for his committed investment in the state’s infrastructure and security, noting the huge investment potentials that would benefit diaspora investors.

Mbah made the call on Wednesday in Enugu while delivering his welcome address at a sensitization and advocacy workshop organized by NiDCOM in partnership with Enugu State Government for the promotion of diaspora investment potentials in the Southeast Nigeria.

He recalled the administration’s unwavering commitment to the diaspora community which has already positioned the state as a business-friendly environment through policies such as easy access to land, guaranteed return on investment, transparency and secure environment.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, acknowledged the pivotal role Nigerians in diaspora were playing in the nation’s development through their remittances, expertise, innovation and networks.

“With an estimated $20bn – $25bn sent home annually by Nigerians abroad as estimated by the World Bank, and active participation of this group, the Nigerian diaspora community cannot be ignored. As such, effectively harnessing the support and influence of our diaspora community is crucial for enhancing investment and trade, and securing robust representation in host countries to promote global interconnectedness,” the governor added.

Insisting that the government was open to partner with diaspora investors to explore the untapped potentials of diaspora participation in the southeast, Mbah charged Igbo investors in diaspora to imbibe the spirit of homecoming investment, calling on Nigerians living outside the eastern part of the country to seize the opportunity afforded them to invest in the Southeast zone.

“The Southeast is renowned for its entrepreneurial drive, industrious spirit, a rich history of migration, and a commitment to community development of Ala Igbo. The significant population of Ndigbo in the diaspora presents tremendous opportunities for fostering mutual growth and development across the five states of the Southeast. This workshop should serve as a powerful call to Ndigbo in the diaspora, urging them to look back home and invest not only financially but also socially, to drive the sustainable development of the region,” he further stressed.

While stating that the state government recognized the Igbo in diaspora as key stakeholders in the development agenda to move the state’s GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn, Mbah maintained that investment from diasporans would not only complement the administration’s efforts to fostering inclusive economic growth, but would also improve the quality of life of the citizens.

He added that some of the initiatives that might interest diasporans included the newly established Enugu State Electricity Market, the New Enugu Smart City, the Special Agro-Processing Zones, the recently completed ICT centre, the Enugu Transport Infrastructure Projects, among other projects which cut across agriculture, technology, education, transport, energy and mineral resources.

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Abike-Dabiri called on diaporans to tap into the unlimited resources and opportunities which Nigeria has to offer them through investment in diverse areas of the economy.

“There is no better place to invest than investing in one’s home. Majority of the respected diasporans are from Enugu State and they are doing great globally,” she noted.

While advocating for a diaspora fund to be set up to identify specific areas of investment, the NiDCOM Chairman stressed that every state in Southeast has something to offer to investors with potential high return on investment.

In her welcome remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu, said the governor had already created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive through the special ease of doing business model that encourages investment in the state.

“We are open and ready for investment opportunities and have identified various sectors in education, security, agriculture, tourism, health, mining, oil and gas, ICT, to name but a few. This has yielded partnerships in the various sectors.

“This is a call for action. I have invited you on this journey, and I appeal to you to be part of it. Do not give up your seat on the table as we all strive to move South Eastern States forward,” she concluded.

Gwagwalada Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, has remanded two lovers, Mohammed Nazifi and Bilkisu Ibrahim in the Suleja Correctional Centre, pending sentencing on Jan. 29, after they were convicted for adultery.

The Magistrate, Olatunji Oladunmoye, ordered that the convicts be remanded in the correctional facility following their summary trial, in which they pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of adultery on Wednesday.

Both Nazifi, 30, and Ibrahim, 25, who reside in Gui Village Airport Road, Abuja, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Nazifi told the court that he was not aware of Bilikisu’s married status.

While Nazifi admitted to the court that their sexual intercourse was mutual, he, however, pleaded with the complainant to forgive him, and for the court to show him mercy.

Ibrahim, who corroborated Nazifi’s statement, told the court that though she had consensual intercourse with him, she did not disclose her marital status to him.

“I am aware that under any custom, it is an offence to sleep with any man you are not married to. I practice Islam, I know it is an offence to sleep with another man when still married.

“I am still married to the complainant, and my youngest child is three years old. I plead with my husband to forgive me, and for the court to show me mercy”, she said.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Dabo Yakubu, told the court that the complainant, Mr Dayabe Abdullahi of Chibiri village, Kuje, Abuja, reported the matter at the Area Command, Gwagwalada, Abuja on Jan. 16.

Yakubu said that the convicts conspired and had sexual intercourse, and both confessed to the crime in their statements.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 387 and 388 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

…says he was possessed by evil spirit

A middle-aged man identified ad Mr. Nwanna from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has reportedly set his wife ablaze over alleged infidelity.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at Eziezekwe village in Abagana.

However, the victim, who was identified as Chioma Nwana, died on Wednesday at a nearby hospital, where she was rushed to, as a result of the burns she sustained during the incident.

A source revealed that the husband of the deceased who after the incident went to the Abagana Divisional Police Station to report the incident and present himself to the Police, has been detained at the police facility.

It was further gathered that the suspect accused his wife of infidelity, which led to both of them engaging in altercations and in the process, the man reached out for petrol, poured it on the victim and set her ablaze.

Another source who pleaded anonymity said, “the woman had returned home on Tuesday evening after the day’s outing with her supposed ‘secret lover’ when the angry husband confronted her.

“An altercation ensued during the confrontation and the man reached out for petrol and poured on his deceased wife and set her on fire.

“The victim had six children and living with the husband at Eziezekwe village. When the incident happened she was rushed to the hospital but she succumbed to death this (Wednesday) morning.

“The husband who ignited her with fire, reported himself to the police station stating that the wife was prostituting with men in the same village and they were using it to abuse him in his home that they are using his wife.”

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ikenga Tochukwu when contacted on Wednesday, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the suspect is in Police custody.

“The suspect is in Police custody. However, the unfortunate thing is that the victim died this morning, Wednesday. And the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Unit for a comprehensive look.”