Nigerian sworn in as Belgian Councillor

Collins Nweke

 Nigerian-born Collins Nweke, was on Friday sworn in as Councillor of West- Flanders Constituency in Belgium.

Nweke, a member of the Belgian Green Party, was re-elected last year. In 2006 he became the first non-Belgian born politician to win an elective position in West-Flanders.

With his re-election, Nweke’s mandate covers issues bordering on the economy, social policy, international development and minority priority.

Nweke in an interview with NAN’s Western Correspondent said that “The last several years were a learning curve where some important results were equally achieved. I will continue to have my eyes on the ball as far as social policy is concerned, but with an expanded portfolio that includes the economy and international development."

Adding, “Small and medium enterprises are the engine of the local economy and a business-friendly environment will not only keep existing businesses in good shape but will attract new investments and create jobs. A number of good initiatives are ongoing and obviously these would be continued and enhanced. It will also make sense to re-evaluate some economic activities that are liabilities to the local economy” he said.

Nweke, 46, years,from Ibusa in Delta state, migrated to Belgium in 1993; he is currently the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora in Belgium