The Cross River Diaspora Commission says no fewer than 300 Black nationals from the Caribbean are preparing to formalise their ties with Cross River State by becoming recognised indigenes,
The commission’s chairman, Prince Otu Okor, told journalists in Calabar that the group—drawn from Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Grenada, the Bahamas, and other islands—will fly from Barbados to Lagos and then to Calabar for the exercise.
“By next month, October, we are going to host 300 diasporas all the way from the Caribbean,”. The state government will receive them with a grand reception in Calabar. These are people who have lost touch with their home state, and they are eager to identify as indigenes of Nigeria, particularly Cross River State.”
Okor explained that the visitors were drawn by the state’s tourism appeal and cultural heritage. He added that they will spend 11 days in Cross River, undergoing documentation before moving to Lagos for further interactions with the Igbo community.
He also explained that the state would conduct official traditional induction ceremonies for the visitors across the three senatorial districts.
“We are going to induct them officially, traditionally, into the different traditional institution”, Okor said.
The Diaspora boss also disclosed how they have planned exchange and study programmes between the State and the Carribeansnations.
“We have arrangements where students from those countries will study in our local universities while our students will also be admitted in their universities”.
JULIAN OBASI, CALABAR
