Edo State Diaspora Agency on Thursday said it is determined to ensure that the potential of Edo indigenes in the Diaspora is harnessed to boost the economic, social and cultural development of the state.
The Director General of the Agency, Loretta Ogboro-Okor who stated this during her maiden press conference in Benin, Edo State, also expressed the readiness of the agency to build synergy with other sister agencies to address the menace of trafficking in persons.
Ogboro-Okor while thanking Governor Monday Okpebholo for establishing the agency also noted that focus would be given to the welfare of Edo indigenes in Diaspora, strengthening relations, growing remittance and fostering growth and development.
She said, “From our strategic location in Nigeria, where one cannot navigate the North, South, East and West, without going through Edo State, we draw a parallel in today’s world too with our Diaspora population that have also become the anchor and rallying point of not just Nigerians but Africans across the world more so, blazing a trail of democracy and political consciousness as we can see from our political engagements in our gubernatorial and other elections.
“As Edo State People in the Diaspora, we contribute hugely in remittances to not just our State, but to our country Nigeria, as a whole. We will be economical with the truth if we do not highlight the fact that our sojourns have been fraught with challenges, ranging from but not limited to stigmatisation, racism, marginalization, and stereotypes.
“We are determined to ensure that the potentials of Edo indigenes in the Diaspora are harnessed to boost the economic, social, and cultural development of the state.
“However, through it all, we rise and hold onto the central theme of hope together, we explore our possibilities for the future, and we continue to maintain our shared solidarity, pushing our positive narratives of Edo State’s past, present, and future with no limits.
She further stressed that the agency will also partner with traditional leaders to ensure that Diaspora contributions are recognized, valued and integrated into the broader Edo State development agenda to maximize the transformation agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Diaspora Agency was established by Governor Monday Okpebholo to serve as a bridge between people in the diaspora and the government at home, ensuring that the skills, resources, and experiences of our global citizens are harnessed for the development of our state.
