Former politician wants African Studies centre in Auckland

Alphaeus Onyeke Onyeke

Working with African communities in Auckland is as tough as being a politician, according to Alphaeus Onyeke Onyeke, and he should know.

The Manurewa resident is a former member of the House of Assembly for the Nigerian state of Enugu, which has a population of more than 10 million people. Since he moved here 10 years ago, he's worked for several companies, started his own consultancy and dabbled in Manukau City politics.

Last year, Mr Onyeke took on the presidency of the African Community of Auckland, a non-profit organisation that helps Africans reach their goals in New Zealand.

Mr Onyeke's role is to co-ordinate activities between the 15 countries - including Somalia, Nigeria, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania - currently represented in the organisation.

"It's been extremely challenging," he says. "I co-ordinated six ministries (in Enugu State), which is just as tough as running the diverse African community here."

Mr Onyeke says the African community, especially youth, needs internal strengthening before the people can be integrated properly into NZ society.

"It takes a lot of social exposure to migrate, and a lot of African youth find themselves isolated or limited in some way in NZ. We are not bungy-jumping addicts and we need to construct culturally appropriate recreation facilities."

He says integration must go two ways.

"A lot of people look at Africa as a country and not a continent. There are 36 states in Nigeria alone."

Always the politician, Mr Onyeke intends to change that view.

He's currently in talks to set up a Foreign Affairs directorate for African affairs, separate from Middle Eastern affairs, and he's pushing to open a new Centre for African Studies somewhere in Auckland as soon as next year.

He says it will have courses in African languages, culture and music, and facilitate exchange programmes between Africa and NZ.

"I am sure it will succeed."

- THE AUCKLANDER