Group to support Nigerian expats in the Gulf region
Plans include promoting trade ties with the uAe
Dubai: When people from any corner of Africa come together, there is bound to be dance, music and a splash of colours.
Expatriates from Imo state of Nigeria came together on Saturday for the opening of their first organisation for expats, with a tribal ruler, a representative of the state government and many others joining the party.
"Citizen Imo is a platform for all expats in the Gulf region to celebrate the Imo culture and to channel their resources for the enhancement of trade and tourism between Imo, Nigeria, UAE and other Gulf states," said Emeka Abbas, President of Citizen Imo.
Affiliated with the Nigerian Embassy in the UAE, the forum already has more than 350 members, while there are around 600 more people from the oil-rich state living in the UAE.
"We are trying to reach out to everyone to help them establish their businesses, not just the Imo citizens but people from all of Nigeria. Our organisation will work closely with the Nigerian Embassy as an interest group to promote bilateral trade with UAE as well as to encourage tourism to our state in particular and Nigeria in general," added Abbas, who has been in the UAE for around 17 years.
Dignitaries
Endorsing the forum and its activities, dignitaries came all the way from Nigeria as well as other parts of the world.
Men, women and children in traditional attire complete with headgear danced to folk tunes as they inaugurated the party by breaking the fruit called "kulanoth".
"It is our tradition to open our events by breaking the fruit and it is done by somebody who is highest in honour," said Chima, a member of the organising committee, explaining the ritual.
From the way the women danced and the way the gathering appreciated it by throwing dollars at them it was evident that they loved to party.
Men were wearing black and brown robes made of velvet with "Isi Agu" (head of lion) printed all over, which Abbas says is a symbol of "our bravery".
The forum will not only cater to expats from Imo and other Nigerian expats in Dubai, but will help all Nigerians based across the Gulf and in Asian countries.
