Gov. Kasich appoints six to New African Immigrants Commission

Ibrahim Sow

Ohio State Governor John R. Kasich has appointed six, Comfort A. Cole-Keneh, Ibrahima Sow, Eugenie Kirenga, Rosaire Ifedi, Abass M. Bangura and Tariq Mohamed to the New African Immigrants Commission. 

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. The appointed members of the commission will be the first to serve since the establishment.

Eugenie Kirenga

   

A statement from the Governor’s media office said that “Comfort A. Cole-Kenneh of Gahanna (Franklin Co.), Ibrahima Sow of Reynoldsburg, (Franklin Co.), and Eugenie Kirenga of Kettering (Greene Co.), have been appointed to the New African Immigrants Commission for terms beginning July 21, 2017, and ending October 7, 2017.

“Rosaire Ifedi of Columbus (Franklin Co.), Abass M. Bangura of Reynoldsburg, (Franklin Co.), and Tariq Mohamed of New Albany (Franklin Co.), have been appointed to the New African Immigrants Commission for terms beginning July 21, 2017, and ending October 7, 2018,” it added.

Comfort Cole-Keneh

Rosaire Ifedi

Sponsors of the bill in the 2007/2008 127^th General Assembly Regular Session were Representatives Stewart, D. and McGregor, J and Cosponsors were Representatives Brown, Evans, Flowers, Foley, Heard, Skindell, Strahorn, Yates,  and Yuko.

The commission is expected to among others: “Gather and disseminate information and conduct hearings, conferences, investigations, and special studies on problems and programs concerning sub-Saharan African people; Secure appropriate recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of sub-Saharan African people to this state

Tariq Mohamed

Abass Bangura

 It will also serve to “Stimulate public awareness of the problems of sub-Saharan African people by conducting a program of public education; Develop, coordinate, and assist other public and private organizations that serve sub-Saharan African people, including the conducting of training programs for community leadership and service project staff.”