Nigerians in America move to tackle unemployment in Abia

Nigerians from Abia State who are resident in North America have unveiled plans to deploy their experience to boost employment generation in the state.

President of the Abia State National Association of North America (ASNA), Chibuzor Ngwakwe, said in New York, United States of America that there was urgent need to develop a structured relationship between them and Abia State to address unemployment through a new paradigm shift in economic resource-base of the state using the American experience.

The group also revealed that they are developing a bilateral science education mission, as well as restructuring their medical and health mission to include an after-care plan and encourage bilateral youth involvement in the state’s agenda.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new executive recently elected during the ASNA week in New York, Ngwakwe explained that the move was part of the agenda of his team, which also include increasing its membership, developing a benefit package for the members and sustaining a transparent relationship between them and their leaders at all levels.

“My administration will focus on growing and increasing our membership within America, Britain and Canada by 30- 40 per cent in the next four months and deliver a benefiting package for our members,” he said.

He insisted that it is from viable membership that ASNA can continue its signature programme of health and medical mission with a perspective to explore public health issues, health education that will address child birth mortality rate, emergency response services, actual healthcare delivery through medical mission with follow-up plans and continuity of care.

Responding, the immediate past President of ASNA, Christian Ike, urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who was represented by his deputy, Ude Chukwu, to re- juvenate Aba, settle workers salary arrears, pay salaries as and when due, fight corruption at all levels, improve the state internal revenue generation (IGR) and apply cement technology in roads construction.

Ike, who said that the over 200,000 Abia indigenes were resident in North America, noted that most of them were captains of industry and managers in Fortune 500 companies, among others, insisting that have the ability and capacity to bring multi-billion dollar investments to Abia State.

In his remarks, the deputy governor said the Ikpeazu’s government had resolved to build a state that they would all be proud to call their home and urged Abia citizens residing in America to contribute to its overall growth and development.