Onitsha and Indianapolis represented respectively by the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett have signed a formal Sister Cities International agreement on economic and business opportunities at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Onitsha is considered the crossroads of Nigeria being a port city on a key crossing point of the Niger River as well as one of Africa’s largest cities – an opportunity Indianapolis aims to benefit from as it seeks to expand its global footprint and fuel business opportunities.
According to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett:
“We have no presence whatsoever in the entire continent. This is the first step into an area for the city of Indianapolis to explore economic opportunity on a continent that is not only heavily populated but that has enormous potential.”
In the words of the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe:
“Onitsha and Indianapolis can have a beneficial relationship. The imminent needs and challenges (of Onitsha) are in the area of energy, small scale energy based on solar and wind energy for empowering small communities or even small towns.”
Despite its oil-rich economy, a lack of infrastructure and inadequate power supplies hobble the nation of more than 186 million people, according to the CIA’s World Factbook.
Achebe said Onitsha is a center for trade and manufacturing and is the largest center for wholesale distribution of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria. He said leaders there are interested in attracting businesses and exposing their cultural traditions to Indiana residents.