The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has urged Anambra indigenes living in the diaspora to invest their wealth, skills and expertise in the development of their homeland.
She made the call at the 2026 Lecture and Award Dinner organised by the Association of Anambra State Development Unions (AASDU) in Lagos, where 38 distinguished indigenes of the state were honoured for their professional achievements and contributions to community development.
Mrs. Onyekesi, who was among the dignitaries at the event, encouraged Ndi Anambra living outside the state to remain connected to their roots by embracing the Aku Luo Uno philosophy, which promotes bringing wealth, knowledge and resources back home to develop their communities.
She stressed that the development of Anambra was a collective responsibility, urging indigenes to contribute meaningfully to the growth of their towns and villages.
The Commissioner also called on parents to make Igbo the primary language of communication in their homes, noting that preserving the language was essential to sustaining the cultural identity and heritage of future generations.
She commended the unity and solidarity demonstrated by Anambra indigenes in Lagos and congratulated the 38 award recipients for their outstanding accomplishments.
Mrs. Onyekesi also praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for their leadership and commitment to the continued development of the state.
In his lecture titled, “Leveraging Diaspora Assets for Sustainable Homeland Development,” Fwdr Eugene Ifeanyichukwu highlighted the enormous potential of Anambra indigenes abroad, noting that their financial resources, professional expertise, knowledge and business skills could significantly transform the state if properly harnessed.
He urged AASDU to establish sustainable partnerships focusing on investment, knowledge transfer, innovation, skills development and institutional collaboration.
In his address, the President of AASDU, Chief Amechi Ebeledike, disclosed that construction work had commenced on the association’s Mega City project at Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area.
He described the project as a practical expression of the Aku Luo Uno philosophy and appealed to Ndi Anambra to support its successful realisation. He also congratulated the award recipients for their contributions to society.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Enuma Obinwa, President of Nigerians in Diaspora in the Central African Republic, emphasised the importance of collective efforts and strategic partnerships in building a prosperous and sustainable Anambra State.
The event brought together community leaders, professionals and other prominent Anambra indigenes, celebrating excellence while renewing calls for greater diaspora participation in the development of their homeland.
