Eze Ozo Felix Okechukwu Obiesie is as a Researcher with an independent market research company in Republic of Ireland. Obiesie is the Chairman Igbo Community Waterford and Coordinator Igbo leaders in Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland. He is also the President Onitsha Ado N’Idu as well as the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Community Waterford. Obiesie was former Chairman, PAN African Community, Waterford, former Liaison Officer Waterford Migrant Integration Forum and Chairman Ada & Okpala Igbo Beauty Pageant, Republic of Ireland
Obiesie speaks to Sunday Oyinloye, Publisher, Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable
Excerpts:
Let me start with your career. You are a Researcher with an independent market research company in Dublin, what has been your experience with the organisation?
My experience with my employer has been a long time learning process; I make it a point to learn from everyone I meet along my career journey.
Which is more important, a product or the marketing strategies?
Both marketing strategies and the product itself are very important because you must trust the product in order to market it effectively. In addition, strategies must be properly followed to enable you to convince your customers.
What roles were you playing as the Liaison Officer of Waterford Migrants Integration Forum in the Republic of Ireland?
My role at the Waterford Migrant Forum as a Liaison Officer mainly involves ensuring that every community in Waterford is aware of the services provided by the Waterford Integration Forum. I also work to ensure that all migrants, both old and new, have access to our services and can take advantage of skill development courses, integration workshops, and any other support they may need.
How would you describe your tenure as the Chairman of the PAN African Community in Waterford?
My tenure as Chairman of the Pan-African OrganisationWaterford was filled with both tension and learning experiences, as I had to work with people from diverse African backgrounds and different mindsets. The most challenging part was finding ways to unite everyone and understanding the situations in various countries, especially nations like Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and Nigeria which have multiple registered communities within a single country due to tribal, religious, and language differences.
You are one of the leaders of Nigerian community in Ireland. You are also the Chairman of Igbo Community in Waterford, how are you able to manage issues that affect the Igbos and other Nigerians without being biased?
The only way I have been able to manage issues affecting both the Igbo people and other Nigerians is by standing on the truth, especially by acknowledging the existence of bad governance in Nigeria, the marginalisation of the Igbo people by the Nigerian government, and the general fear of the unknown.
What are you doing to unite Nigerians in Republic of Ireland?
I believe that the only way to unite Nigerians in the Republic of Ireland is to encourage the formation of all ethnic communities such as Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Benin, and others. The executives of these ethnic communities can then form a Nigerian umbrella organisation to promote cultural awareness and showcase our diverse heritage to our host country and to the Irish multicultural society through cultural events, Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, New Yam Festival, and other ethnic or national events. You can testify that there is no single “Nigerian culture.” Instead, we have Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and other distinct cultures. Many Nigerians have lost hope in both the Nigerian government and the judiciary, echoing frustrations over corruption, abuse of power, brutality against citizens, and the incitement of tribal divisions — tactics often used to maintain control and prevent unity. Thus, creating cultural awareness among Nigerians is one of the most vital tools for fostering unity in the Republic of Ireland. The biggest challenge is that many ethnic communities are not willing to associate with the broader Nigerian community due to the current delicate situation in the country.
Why Ada & Okpala Igbo Beauty pageant and what impacts has it made on the Igbo Community in Ireland?
The Ada & Okpala Igbo Beauty Pageant is one of the key ways of passing our rich Igbo cultural heritage to the youth. On the day of the event, voluntary participants are brought together in a hotel setting where they are taught about Igbo culture and language, as well as guided through the procedures of the competition with the goal of creating awareness and appreciation of our cultural heritage among young people. Because it is a competition involving both prizes and gifts, many young people look forward to participating, whether as contestants or as attendees.
