By Dickson Okafor
Chief Executive Officer of Blue Diamond Logistics, China, Festus Mbisiogu, has again lamented the continued increase of Nigerians in Asian prisons.
According to the China-based business mogul, over 2,000 Nigerians are in Guangdong Province prison, noting that 90 per cent of this number are Igbo.
He made the declaration in a keynote address he delivered at the maiden edition of Igbo Ezuo 2017 which was held at Golden Tulip, Festac Town, Lagos recently.
The event, which attracted prominent Igbo sons and daughters from all walks of life was aimed at providing a common avenue for Igbo to chat a new course towards a united Igbo and proffer solutions both economic, social and political to the challenges faced by the people in the South-East region.
Mbisiogu, while recalling the ordeal of inmates, most of whom were held for narcotic trade which he said carry capital punishment if found guilty, described the trend as a blow on the image of the country and Igbo nation. He also revealed that 60 per cent of those in jail are those who do not know the content of the parcel they were given by the people who invited them to Asia, only for them to discover when they are caught that they had been indirectly engaged as drug courier.
While describing Nigerians as hard working people with some making the country proud, he however regretted that because of unhealthy conduct of a few, every Nigerian is a suspect, thereby tarnishing the image of the country.
He stated how as the Coordinator of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Guangzhou chapter in conjunction with other good spirited Nigerians in the Diaspora have through seminars, conferences and symposium enlightened Nigerian immigrants to engage in legitimate businesses as illegality is not tolerated in Asia. He said “We have and will continue to intimate Nigerians coming to China and to other foreign countries to eschew illegal businesses as there a lot of business opportunities in the Asia”
expressed sadness over
He called on Town Union leaders, parents, market leaders and all Igbo Association within and outside the country to join in the awareness campaign to discourage those desiring to migrate to other countries from engaging in illegal businesses. Mbisiogu advised intending immigrants to investigate properly the background of those inviting them and their source income as they may be enlisted into drug cartel without their knowledge hence the rise in the number of Nigerians in the illicit trade. He commended the organizers led by Mr. Ifeanyi Mba for his benevolence towards Igbo resident in China and also for attracting the high and mighty in Igbo land to the event.
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion are, the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Nollywood community was significantly represented with the likes of, Pete Edochie, John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Chiwetalu Agu and Music legend, Mike Ejiaha and Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Sun Newspaper, Mr. Steve Nwosu . The highlight of the event was cultural display and traditional dancers from across Igboland.
| Igbo Ezuo 2017: /sd Igbo Ezuo 2017: Mbisiogu lament high rate of Ndigbo in Chinese prisons By DICKSON OKAFOR Chief Executive Officer of Blue Diamond Logistics, China, Festus Mbisiogu, has again lamented the continued increase of Nigerians in Asian prisons. According to the China-based business mogul, over 2,000 Nigerians are in Guangdong Province prison, noting that 90 per cent of this number are Igbo. He made the declaration in a keynote address he delivered at the maiden edition of Igbo Ezuo 2017 which was held at Golden Tulip, Festac Town, Lagos recently. The event, which attracted prominent Igbo sons and daughters from all walks of life was aimed at providing a common avenue for Igbo to chat a new course towards a united Igbo and proffer solutions both economic, social and political to the challenges faced by the people in the South-East region. Mbisiogu, while recalling the ordeal of inmates, most of whom were held for narcotic trade which he said carry capital punishment if found guilty, described the trend as a blow on the image of the country and Igbo nation. The Blue Diamond boss also revealed that 60 per cent of those in jail are those who do not know the content of the parcel they were given by the people who invited them to Asia, only for them to discover when they are caught that they had been indirectly engaged as drug courier. He affirmed that Nigerians are hard working people as some have continued to make the country proud wherever they find themselves but regretted that because of unhealthy conduct of few, every Nigerian is a suspect, thereby tarnishing the image of the country. He stated how as the Coordinator of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Guangzhou chapter in conjunction with other good spirited Nigerians in the Diaspora have through seminars, conferences and symposium enlightened Nigerian immigrants to engage in legitimate businesses as illegality is not tolerated in Asia. He said “We have and will continue to intimate Nigerians coming to China and to other foreign countries to eschew illegal businesses as there a lot of business opportunities in the Asia” expressed sadness over He called on Town Union leaders, parents, market leaders and all Igbo Association within and outside the country to join in the awareness campaign to discourage those desiring to migrate to other countries from engaging in illegal businesses. Mbisiogu advised intending immigrants to investigate properly the background of those inviting them and their source income as they may be enlisted into drug cartel without their knowledge hence the rise in the number of Nigerians in the illicit trade. He commended the organizers led by Mr. Ifeanyi Mba for his benevolence towards Igbo resident in China and also for attracting the high and mighty in Igbo land to the event. Among dignitaries that graced the occasion are, the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Nollywood community was significantly represented with the likes of, Pete Edochie, John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Chiwetalu Agu and Music legend, Mike Ejiaha and Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Sun Newspaper, Mr. Steve Nwosu . The highlight of the event was cultural display and traditional dancers from across Igboland. |