By Mazi. Godson Azu
A private dinner reception was recently held in London in honour of the Deputy Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, providing an opportunity for Abians in the United Kingdom to engage directly with a key member of the Abia State Government and to exchange views on the development of the state and the role of the diaspora.
The reception was graciously hosted by Mazi James Oleka, President of the Ohafia Progressive Union and Interim Vice President of the Abia State Union UK. The intimate gathering brought together a number of Abia leaders, community representatives and friends of Abia State, including Mazi Chike Nwoke, Interim General Secretary, Mazi Uche K., Hon. Chris Agbai, and other distinguished members of the Abia community.
I had the privilege of attending the private dinner and participating in the engagement alongside other Abians committed to strengthening the relationship between the state and its diaspora community.
A Warm Welcome from the Abia Diaspora
The evening commenced with a brief welcome address by the host, Mazi James Oleka, who spoke on behalf of the Ohafia community and expressed appreciation to the Deputy Governor for accepting the invitation to meet with Abians in London despite the limited time available for his visit.
This was followed by my own formal welcome remarks on behalf of the Abia State Union UK, during which I expressed our appreciation to the Deputy Governor for making himself available for the engagement.
The meeting subsequently opened up to contributions from members of the Ohafia community and other participants. The discussions were characterised by goodwill, constructive observations, commendations and a shared commitment to the continued progress of Abia State.
Commendation for the Abia State Government
A significant part of the conversation centred on the development trajectory of Abia State under the administration of the Governor, with participants acknowledging and commending the administration’s efforts and achievements over the past three years.
Speakers particularly recognised the role of the Deputy Governor in supporting the Governor and contributing to the administration’s governance and development agenda.
The atmosphere was not merely celebratory, however. Participants also used the opportunity to make constructive requests for deeper, more structured and sustained engagement between the Abia State Government and the Abia diaspora community in the United Kingdom.
There was a strong feeling that the Abia diaspora represents an important reservoir of professional expertise, investment capital, international networks, technical knowledge and institutional experience that can complement the government’s development efforts.
Participants therefore encouraged greater collaboration in areas such as investment promotion, skills and knowledge transfer, education, healthcare, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, technology and community development.
The Deputy Governor’s Response
In his response, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, expressed his appreciation to Mazi James Oleka for organising the reception and for creating the opportunity for him to interact with Abians in London within the limited timeframe of his visit.
He also thanked all the Abians and friends of Abia State who had taken time out of their busy schedules to attend the private dinner and participate in the engagement.
The Deputy Governor listened attentively to the issues and observations raised by participants and responded to several of the key matters discussed.
He also provided an overview of the administration’s activities, highlighting what he described as significant progress made by the government under the leadership of the Governor. He spoke about the administration’s development priorities, ongoing initiatives and expectations for the future, while emphasising the importance of continued support and constructive engagement from Abians at home and abroad.
His remarks provided participants with an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the government’s perspective and its development agenda.
Building a Stronger Abia–UK Diaspora Partnership
One of the most important outcomes of the evening was the shared recognition that the relationship between Abia State and its diaspora community can and should be strengthened.
The United Kingdom is home to a significant community of Abians who have built successful careers, businesses and professional networks across different sectors. Harnessing this wealth of experience and goodwill in a coordinated manner could provide meaningful support for the state’s development aspirations.
The engagement therefore represented more than a social dinner. It was an important platform for dialogue, relationship-building and the exchange of ideas between government and the Abia diaspora.
For the diaspora, effective engagement should go beyond ceremonial meetings. It should create practical channels through which Abians abroad can participate in investment, policy dialogue, skills development, business partnerships and other initiatives capable of producing measurable benefits for the people of Abia State.
A Valuable Evening of Brotherhood and Engagement
The private reception ended on a warm and positive note, with participants appreciating the opportunity to interact with the Deputy Governor in a relaxed and cordial environment.
As Abians, we must continue to promote unity, constructive engagement and a shared commitment to the development of our beloved state.
The evening was a reminder that regardless of where we live, our connection to Abia remains strong. The responsibility to contribute to the advancement of our communities does not end at our borders; rather, the diaspora provides an additional platform from which we can contribute our knowledge, networks, resources and goodwill.
I commend Mazi James Oleka for convening this important engagement and for his continued commitment to strengthening the Abia and Ohafia communities in the United Kingdom.
I also commend His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, for taking the time to meet with Abians in London, listen to their concerns and share insights into the government’s development agenda.
Ultimately, the aspiration should be to transform engagements such as this into a sustained Abia–UK Diaspora Partnership, built on mutual respect, open communication, investment, knowledge exchange and a shared determination to build a more prosperous and inclusive Abia State.
Abia is home. Wherever we may live, the progress of Abia remains a shared responsibility.
