By Deba Uwadiae

The Ohio New African Immigrants Commission, NAIC finally got approval to funding and fiscal operating appropriations in the 2024-2025 Ohio State Budget Main Operating Appropriations Bill H.B. 33, six years after the initial appointment of the members of the commission by then Governor John Kasich.

The bill has now provided $250,000 in each fiscal year to newly created GRF 0615901, operating expenses. These provisions were missing in the 2008 bill setting up the New African Immigrants Commission, even though it was in other similar commissions established by the State.

Members of the NAIC had never ceased to appeal to legislators in both Houses to amend the bill so as to pursue developmental programs necessary for the African immigrants in the state.

Recent efforts by Senators Michele Reynolds, Matt Dolan, and Rep. Ismail Mohamed won the support of their members resulting in the approval of the Main Operating Appropriations Bill H.B. 33.

The Main Operating Appropriations Bill H.B. 33, NAICD1 New African Immigrants Commission

as Passed by Senate R.C. 4112.32, 4112.33, 4112.34:

•  Adds four nonvoting members to the membership of the Commission: two appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and two appointed by the President of the Senate. Requires the Speaker of the House and Senate President to each appoint one member of their respective chamber and one private citizen.
•  Establishes the Office of New African Immigrant Affairs to assist the Commission in the fulfillment of its duties.
•  Creates the New African Immigrants Grant and Gift Fund in the state treasury consisting of grants or gifts the Commission receives, as well as any money the General Assembly transfers or appropriates to it.
•  Fiscal effect: The African Immigrants Grant and Gift Fund will also be utilized to support the Commission’s duties, including the operation of the Office of New African Immigrant Affairs. Under continuing law, members are prohibited from being compensated for their work as members. The bill also provides $250,000 in each fiscal year to newly created GRF 061501, Operating Expenses.

In his response to the development, current Chairman of the New African Immigrants Commission, Ibrahim Sow said “Firstly, I feel immense gratitude to the advocates that have defined the journey, including the New American Magazine, the Columbus Dispatch, and community members that have provided testimony at hearings over the years.”

“Beyond getting due recognition from our legislative champions, including Senators Matt Dolan and Michele Reynolds, Representative Mohamed, among others, ONAIC can finally begin to effectively fulfill its ORC mandates and continue to uplift our communities to self-sufficiency with consequential HB33 appropriation and statute changes.”

Sow said “the commission, including myself, are reinvigorated to continue working for every African immigrant across Ohio’s 88 counties, focused on economic development, education, and resource access.”

Also responding, Ohio State House of Representatives member Ismail Mohamed who played pivotal role, alongside Senator Michele Reynolds in accomplishing this feat said “I am glad. They will do important things.”

In July 2017, the Ohio Governor John R. Kasich appointed six members, Comfort A. Cole-Keneh, Ibrahima Sow, Eugenie Kirenga, Rosaire Ifedi, Abass M. Bangura and Tariq Mohamed to the New African Immigrants Commission and added a seventh member, Miriame Diabate in September.

They were joined by four more members thereby completing the 11-member team chaired by Dr Rosaire Ifedi. The new members include Glory Brissett of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), Prince Ellis, DBA, MSIS of Cincinnati (Clermont County), Kefa M. Otiso, PhD, EBS of Bowling Green (Wood County), and Ademola O. Solaru, DM of Cleveland Heights (Cuyahoga County).

While some of the pieoneering members are still on board some have been replaced. One of the replacements includes Cyntihia Engmann.

The New African Immigrants Commission was established in 2008 with effect from 2009 to advocate for the development and implementation of policies and programs to address the needs of the State’s sub-Saharan African population.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url