Enugu Indigenes in Türkiye Inaugurate New Association, Elect Desmond Ofor Chairman

High Chief Desmond Ofor has emerged Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the newly inaugurated Enugu State Indigenes Association, Türkiye.

Ofor emerged chairman at the inaugural meeting of the association held at the Real-Life Hotel, Fatih, Istanbul, on Saturday, September 6, 2026, following months of consultations aimed at bringing Enugu indigenes resident in Türkiye under one umbrella.

The inauguration attracted sons and daughters of Enugu State residing in different parts of Türkiye, with representatives of emerging branches converging on the central branch in Istanbul for the historic occasion.

Also elected into the Central Working Committee was Okudilichukwu Eke Ephraim, who emerged Secretary, while Amb. Prince Sam Onuegbunam and Chief Frank Agu were among other prominent members elected into the committee.

Speaking at the event, the Convener of the association, Amb. Prince Sam Onuegbunam, said the initiative was conceived to unite Enugu indigenes in Türkiye and align them with the development objectives of the Enugu State Government.

Onuegbunam noted that the state government had established a Diaspora Desk in each of the 17 local government areas of Enugu State, describing the association as a platform through which members could connect with the government and contribute to the development of the state.

“This platform will enable our members to take full advantage of this medium to connect with the state government and help develop and move Enugu State forward,” he said.

The convener further stressed the need for a unified and recognised platform for Enugu indigenes in Türkiye, declaring that the era of individuals claiming to represent the group without a collective mandate was over.

He said, “Gone are the days when a few individuals could secretly present themselves to government claiming to represent Enugu indigenes in Türkiye.”

According to him, the inauguration marked the first time such a forum had been created to bring Enugu indigenes in Türkiye together under one umbrella.

“As bonafide indigenes of Enugu, this is the very first time that a forum like this has been created to enable us to come together under one umbrella, align ourselves with our state government, and move our dear state forward,” Onuegbunam said.

The association’s Nigeria-based Legal Adviser, Chief Barrister Sir Austin Akulue, who joined the meeting virtually via Zoom, advised members on the legal framework governing the organisation.

Akulue cited Enugu State laws and provisions of the Nigerian Constitution empowering citizens from a common origin to constitute themselves into a lawful body for their collective welfare.

Also speaking, the association’s Türkiye-based Legal Adviser, Attorney Ahmet, outlined the Turkish laws and modalities governing associations.

He assured members that legal residents of Türkiye had the constitutional and legal right to peaceful assembly, pledging to work with the association towards achieving its objectives.

“This is simply a platform for indigenes of Enugu State to come together, get to know one another, and collaborate for the common good of Enugu State and Nigeria as a country,” Attorney Ahmet said.

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe, Türkiye Chapter, Hon. Ben Onyeukwu C. Anyaibe, also joined the inauguration virtually.

Anyaibe expressed delight at participating in the event and invited members of the association to the NIDO Europe Convention 2026, scheduled to take place in Istanbul in November.

The convention, according to him, will be the first of its kind to be hosted in Türkiye and is expected to attract delegates from 23 countries across Europe, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Also joining from Berlin, Germany, was Amb. Caius Eze, Convener of the Enugu Indigenes Association Worldwide, who charged members of the newly inaugurated body to remain united in purpose.

The inauguration also witnessed presentations by branch leaders, with the Chairman of the Esenyurt Branch presenting members of his branch to the association, followed by the Branch Chairman of Sultangazi.

Members who attended physically and those who participated virtually expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event and pledged to work together to make the Enugu Indigenes Association, Türkiye, a model for others.

They also pledged to contribute meaningfully to their host community in Türkiye while serving as good ambassadors of Nigeria.

The event followed the presentation of the formative committee, headed by Amb. Prince Sam Onuegbunam, to the general assembly before the election of the Central Working Committee chaired by High Chief Desmond Ofor.

The inaugural meeting ended at exactly 6:00 p.m. after several hours of deliberations, with members agreeing to reconvene in October 2026.