Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to take deliberate steps towards ending medical tourism by investing in world-class health infrastructure back home.
She made this appeal at the 16th Annual Mbaise USA Convention held in Minnesota, United States, where she officially flagged off the commencement of construction of the Medville Medical City in Uvuru, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for diaspora communities not to see the United States and Europe as permanent homes, but to replicate the development and infrastructure they enjoy abroad in their native communities across Nigeria.
“By building bridges between their experiences overseas and opportunities at home, Nigerians can collectively uplift their communities and strengthen the nation’s fabrics,” she said.
The Minister described the Medville Medical City as a legacy project with the potential to transform the healthcare landscape in Nigeria, placing Mbaise and the country at large on the global map for medical excellence.
“I congratulate the brain behind this vision, Dr. Nancy Akunna, for her foresight, brilliance, dedication, resilience and patriotic zeal in designing a medical concept that is capable of revolutionizing the medical industry in Nigeria,” she added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured that both the Federal Government and the Imo State Government fully support the project, pledging her office’s commitment to partner with Mbaise USA and other stakeholders to ensure its successful execution.
She also highlighted the alignment of the Medville initiative with the Federal Government’s foreign policy thrust the “4Ds” (Democracy, Diaspora, Demography, and Development) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of Abia State Governor, Dr. Priscilla Otti, who hails from Mbaise, commended the leadership of Mbaise USA for their impact-driven initiatives and expressed the readiness of Abia State to explore future partnerships on the Medville project.
In their welcome remarks, National President of Mbaise USA, Ezeji Alozie Aguwa, and Chairman of the Board of Delegates, Dr. Charles Iwejuo, highlighted the group’s numerous contributions to development in Nigeria, including annual medical missions, scholarships, WHO-standard water boreholes, community electrification, and healthcare access facilitation.
Chief initiator of the Medville Medical City, Dr. Nancy Akunna, explained that the project was envisioned to bridge the gap between local medical limitations and global standards, creating a model community that integrates advanced medical care, education, and innovation in a rural setting.
Other dignitaries present at the convention included Chairman of ABC Transport, Frank Nneji; Executive Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Sir Stanley Amuchie; former Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu; former Ambassador to Guinea, Innocent Iwejuo; Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Bishop Simeon Okezue Nwobi; Anglican Bishop of Mbaise, Bishop Chamberlain Ogunedo; and traditional ruler, Eze M.J.O. Nwaturuocha.
