A group known as the U.S-Africa Business Council located in Atlanta has thrown its weight behind the creation of a new Nigerian consulate in California as against Chicago that was earlier proposed.
The position of the group was made known in a statement signed by Dr. Titus Olowokere, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the foremost organisation.
The statement partly read : ”Sequel to a recent newspaper article in the Vanguard newspaper of March 13, 2024, in relation to the above, We write to present persuasive arguments in favor of locating a new Nigerian consulate in California rather than Chicago, Illinois. While the initial plans may have proposed Chicago as the location, we believe that California offers several logical and strategic reasons that make it a more suitable choice for establishing a new consulate in the United States”.
Olowokere in the statement advocated reasons for in favor of locating a new Nigerian consulate in California rather than Chicago, Illinois citing economic hub, Diverse Nigerian Community, Strategic Location, Cultural Exchange and Technology and Innovation.
According to him, ” California is a major economic hub in the United States, with a thriving economy and numerous opportunities for trade and investment. By locating a Nigerian consulate in California, we can strengthen our economic ties with the state and facilitate business partnerships between Nigerian and Californian companies.
While advocating for maximising the potentials of the ‘Diverse Nigerian Community’, he posited : ”California is home to a large and diverse Nigerian community, with a significant population of Nigerians residing in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Establishing a consulate in California would provide easier access to consular services for Nigerian expatriates and strengthen our ties with the Nigerian diaspora in the state”.
Olowokere further emphasised the importance of expanding the diplomatic presence of Nigeria in western part of United States. ”Strategic Location: California’s strategic location on the West Coast of the United States makes it an ideal choice for a Nigerian consulate. It would serve as a gateway to the Pacific region and enable us to expand our diplomatic presence in the western part of the country”.
”Cultural Exchange: California is known for its vibrant cultural scene and diverse population. By establishing a consulate in California, we can promote cultural exchange initiatives, showcase Nigerian arts and culture, and strengthen people-to-people ties between Nigeria and the United States”.
”Technology and Innovation: California is a global hub for technology and innovation, with Silicon Valley being a center for cutting-edge research and development. By locating a consulate in California, we can explore opportunities for collaboration in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation between Nigeria and California-based companies”.
The staement concluded : ”In the light of the above , we strongly believe that California offers a more strategic and beneficial location for a new Nigerian consulate in the United States. The state’s economic significance, diverse Nigerian community, strategic location, cultural vibrancy, and technological innovation make it an ideal choice for expanding Nigeria’s diplomatic presence in the country”.
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”We urge President Bola Tinubu to consider these reasons and make the decision to locate the new consulate in California. Thank you for your attention to this matter”.