We have done very well for Imo people in South Africa – Imo Union President General

President General of Imo Union, Hon Chimezie Njoku, has revealed how they were able to control and safeguard Imo citizens and Nigerians during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. He also spoke on Mbaise and Imo Governorship. His is interested to run for political office come 2019. Eze Adiuku anchored the interview. Excerpts;

Please kindly introduce you self, 

I am Honourable Njoku Chimezie. President General  Imo State Union South Africa (ISUSA).

I am also the Pillar of the Youth as conferred to me by the National Youth Council of Nigeria Aboh Mbaise Chapter, President of Prestige Social Friends Club South Africa. Founder/former President and Grand Patron of Midrand all Stars Football Club South Africa.

What is the situation of Imo citizens in South Africa especially given the xenophobic attacks there sometime last year? 

Given the xenophobic attack that erupted in South Africa few months ago, I want to inform you that our offices here in South Africa did not relent in seeing that the situation was put under control. We had series of meeting with the South African government and specific authorities in trying to find a diplomatic solution to the problem. We also had meetings with the Foreign affairs Minister of Nigeria His Excellency Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama and the Interior affairs minister of Nigeria RTD Lt-Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau in conjunction with the Nigerian High Commission to South Africa as we were then trying to ensure that all diplomatic processes were followed to restore peace and order and to avert the killings and destruction of properties belonging to the Nigerians residents here in South Africa.

How has your leadership of Imo people in SA helped our brothers and sisters there? 

I can strongly say that since my newly elected executives and I took charge of our union here in South Africa, as a team, we have done tremendously well in ensuring the growth of our union. Our union today has become greater in number and our outreach to our brothers in problems here has become second to none. We have instilled fairness and stability, equity and justice. Our finances have conspicuously increased. Our union today has become a union of choice and we have not stopped in pushing our boundaries in search of greater heights.

Is there any programme by Imo citizens in South Africa that impacts on Ndi Imo in Nigeria, just like Mbaise USA and the medical missions? 

Definitely, it is important to inform you that last two years, our union printed 20,000 copies of exercise books which I led the delegation that handed over these exercise books to our Governor His Excellency Rochas Okorocha at the Imo State Government House in our effort to support his free education campaign. We also went to the state Primary school at Wetheral Road Owerri to hand over some of these books to the school principal. The commissioner of Education then was part of this exercise.

You are a member of Mbaise Universal Assembly. What are the objectives of the group? 

The objectives of Mbaise Universal Assembly in a summary are to join hands with the Mbaise community in fostering developmental growth in Mbaise and to empower and support our people in artistry work.

Do you think Mbaise Universal Assembly can unite Mbaise people towards the dream of getting the governorship seat in Imo State By 2019? 

Well I believe that the Mbaise Universal Assembly will do what they can to encourage and educate our people to understand diversity in politics. We have a lot of diaspora people in this assembly who have different ideologies about politics and who understand what diversity is all about when it comes to politics. When I am talking about diversity in politics, what I mean is that an Mbaise candidate will never win an election without playing a collective politics from Mbaise level that will integrate all Owerri Zonal  and playing into Orlu or Okigwe caucus. The ideology of an Mbaise candidate trying to believe that he or she can win an election with only Mbaise votes is totally outdated in my opinion.

Do you have any political ambition in 2019 'if yes, which political position and why are you interested in running for it?

Without mincing words I have to unequivocally say that I have the ambition and desire to run for the Aboh Mbaise House of Assembly seat in 2019 by the grace of God. It is my desired intention to serve my people and to bring on board Diaspora intelligence into our system. (Ndi be anyi si n a onye oga aga ka onye isi awo ihe ama).  I am preparing and I am strategizing strongly to give it all. I believe that when it comes to administration, I have what it takes to outwit any opponent that may want to contend with me.