The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Sunday, urged President Ahmed Tinubu to use the visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to attract investment in technology, energy, railway, and release Nigerians allegedly held in Indian prisons.

The Secretary of Chidi Ibeh led faction of Ohanaeze Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro in a statement said that the group joins President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in extending a warm and respectful welcome to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on his historic maiden visit to Nigeria.

Isiguzoro urged Tinubu to use the visit to attract good investment to Nigeria.

He noted that the visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years, adding that the occasion signifies a diplomatic milestone and an opportunity to forge deeper economic ties that can redefine Nigeria’s future.

Isguzoro urged President Tinubu to capitalize on this unprecedented moment by prioritizing dialogues that focus on Indian partnerships in technology, energy, infrastructure, and railway systems”.

He pleaded with Tinubu to negotiate for the release of Nigerians allegedly imprisoned across 28 states in India, adding that many of these Nigerians are victims of stringent immigration policies that fail to distinguish between genuine students, medical tourists, and legitimate businesspersons.

According to him, Tinubu must utilize this diplomatic opportunity to advocate the swift release of those unjustly detained, particularly individuals who are innocent and have faced prolonged detainment without fair trials.

“Historically, India and Nigeria share a robust diplomatic relationship that has endured for an impressive 66 years and since the establishment of India’s diplomatic mission in Lagos in November 1958—just two years prior to Nigeria’s independence—our nations have navigated a landscape of mutual respect and shared aspirations,” he said.