Ace philanthropist and businessman, Friday Iwodi urges Idoma diaspora to invest in homeland

LONDON — A Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Dr Adogo F. Iwodi, has called on Idoma sons and daughters in the diaspora to return home, invest and contribute to the economic development of Idoma land.

Iwodi made the call in a message delivered at the maiden convention of Idoma people in the United Kingdom, where he urged the Idoma diaspora to move beyond cultural celebrations and become active participants in rebuilding the economic fortunes of their ancestral homeland.

He said the maiden convention presented an opportunity for the Idoma community in the UK to celebrate its heritage while also reflecting on the future of the people and the development of Idoma land.

According to him, Idoma people in the UK, Europe, America, Canada, Asia and other parts of the world have the resources, expertise, networks and experience needed to contribute meaningfully to development back home.

Iwodi recalled the vibrancy of Otukpo and other parts of Idoma land in the 1970s and 1980s, when the area attracted people from neighbouring communities and other parts of Nigeria for business, leisure, entertainment and social activities.

He lamented that many young people now leave Idoma land in search of employment, investment opportunities and better living conditions elsewhere.

“We must change this narrative,” he said.

The businessman urged successful Idoma professionals and entrepreneurs in the diaspora to consider investing in agriculture, agro-processing, healthcare, education, hospitality, housing, technology, transportation and other sectors.

“Imagine what could happen if thousands of successful Idoma sons and daughters around the world committed even a portion of their investments, knowledge, professional expertise, networks, and resources back home,” he said.

Iwodi said such investments could help create sustainable employment for young people and reduce dependence on government jobs.

He urged the diaspora to begin seeing Idoma land not only as a place to visit during Christmas, weddings, burials and traditional ceremonies, but also as a viable destination for investment and enterprise.

“Our greatest contribution to the next generation will not simply be telling them how beautiful Idoma land used to be. Our responsibility is to build the Idoma land we want them to inherit,” he said.

He stressed that government had an important role to play by providing security, infrastructure, electricity, roads and policies that encourage investment, but added that the responsibility for developing Idoma land could not be left to government alone.

Iwodi called for collaboration among the traditional institution, political leaders, business community, professionals, youths, community organisations and the diaspora.

“We must move from discussing the problems of Idoma land to investing in the solutions,” he said.

He urged the maiden UK convention to serve as the beginning of a renewed diaspora-driven effort to promote investment and economic development in Idoma land.

“Let us return home. Let us invest at home. Let us create opportunities at home. Let us build industries at home. Let us empower our young people at home,” he said.

Iwodi said the collective efforts of Idoma people at home and abroad could restore the region as a centre of commerce, enterprise, tourism, agriculture, industry, education and economic opportunity.