Aku Ruo Uno (think home) philosophy has played transformative role to the industrialisation of Southeast Nigeria. Apparently, with particular focus on current issues and challenges of unity of the Igbo, particularly, Ndi Enugu, a Security Consultant and USA Deputy Sheriff Dr. John Egbo (retired) has touted the strides that Enugu-USA has made thus far, while heaping on the prospects and opportunities that multi-billion naira proposed Enugu USA Building Project in Enugu offers.
Dr. Egbo, the founding Commissioner for the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, addressed a mammoth audience at the Enugu-USA 2024 Convention, Dallas, Texas, during the launching of the Enugu-USA Building Project on Saturday, 3rd August, 2024.
The former Commissioner Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Environment, Enugu State said the Enugu-USA Building Project, the first of its kind among Nigerian States Diaspora organizations in the United States, to be sited in Enugu will domicile the youth empowerment programs, skill acquisition training, healthcare delivery, and community development programs.
“Today, Madam President, Dr. Mrs. Chy Agbayi, and her Executive Officers are making history by launching the Enugu-USA Building Project, the first of its kind among Nigerian state Diaspora organizations in the United States. I am excited about the prospects of Enugu-USA owning its own home in the Coal City (Aku Ruo Uno).
According to him, “the Enugu-USA Building Project will be a great addition and support to the other developmental projects of the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba, who is really changing the trajectory of development in the State, ‘Tomorrow is Here’ indeed. We plead with the Governor to support this laudable project by facilitating prompt allocation of land for the project in a place central and accessible to end users. We further plead with the Governor to direct all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to facilitate issuance of relevant permits and waivers to make the immediate and prompt takeoff of the project a reality.
“I can vouch for the Association that the project will be executed accordingly and compliment the infrastructural development of the Governor as well as add value to the growth and development of the economy of Enugu State. From all indications, the vision is clear, the mission is clear, and the implementation will be a reality. Likewise, I can reassure my Diaspora brothers and sisters that Enugu State is peaceful and a good clime for this laudable initiative because the Governor of Enugu State has instituted both police patrol team named DRS and CCTV on major streets of Enugu city to tackle insecurity.
He informed the audience that “Dallas once again has birthed the 1st Enugu USA Youth Summit starting a program of leadership training for our youths, who will eventually take over from us as we retire and enjoy our senior citizenship status.
“Our youths must be successful, respect their parents, know their root in Nigeria, invest in both continents, marry each other, be bilingual, understand our culture and be proud of their ancestry and heritage. This is a wakeup call for all of us parents to emulate what has made Jewish Americans and their successive generations great in the United States.
Dr. Egbo expressed excitement that “Dallas, Texas continues to spark big ideas that promote our Association and serve as a kind host for many of us who arrived here as immigrants chasing the American Dream. Twenty-two years ago, in August 2002, I stood here in Dallas to receive your mandate as the third President of Enuge-USA. Now, you can see that Dallas means a lot to me.”
Enumerating the importance of the Enugu-USA Building Project, he added, “youth empowerment is a development program that aims to create opportunities that encourage and develop young people to be morally responsible, self-reliant, and financially productive citizens. Enugu USA can consider instituting scholarships, providing resources for youths to establish SMEs, creating incentives to attract youths to agriculture, and training youths on vocational skills and our young nurses on test taking skills to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, also known as the NCLEX, which is the national exam that all nursing students must pass in order to become a licensed registered nurse in the United States.
“The centre will also serve as a hub to attract, identify, energize and train our young people on the use of modern Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning technology.
“Our youths must be successful, respect their parents, know their root in Nigeria, invest in both continents, marry each other, be bilingual, understand our culture and be proud of their ancestry and heritage. This is a wakeup call for all of us parents to emulate what has made Jewish Americans and their successive generations great in the United States.
“The good news is that we do not have to tax ourselves to fund or finance all of these programs as there are available grants to support youth empowerment skills in the United States namely: Global Fund for Children; W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Allstate Foundation; Good Sports; Ben and Jerry’s Foundation and Daniels Fund etc. It is heartwarming to learn that Madam President, Dr. Mrs. Chy Agbayi has set up a grant writing team to source funds for Enugu USA developmental initiatives.
“Our medical mission program has continued to be a model for other organizations to emulate. The proposed Enugu USA Building Project in Enugu will serve as a hub to coordinate future missions and house a modern medical clinic with hard-to-find medical equipment to diagnose common diseases.
Appreciating the leadership of Enugu USA for giving him the rare privilege to deliver the keynote address at the all-important convention, Dr. Egbo said, “it is truly heartwarming to see that Enugu-USA continues to be a glue that binds us together as brothers and sisters, a forum to connect, form alliances, learn from each other, and get inspired by each other. Let us take this bold step and put our imprints in the sands of time. Enugu State is our State of birth and all hands must be on deck to develop it.
“I encourage everyone of us, our relatives and friends to donate to the Enugu USA Building Project. Your donation will not be in vain as every donor’s name will be inscribed on the building’s “Wall of Fame” and serve as a permanent reminder of your role in the project as well as a complete domestication and institutionalization of our collective success in the United States. “Aku Ruo Uno, Amalu Onye Matalu ya” We can do it.”
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