Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has received the Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora, Dr Louis-Georges Tin, and his delegation for the signing of a strategic development partnership and implementation framework agreement to attract investment and drive development in key sectors.
The partnership covers the development of the Gele Gele Sea Port, agriculture, railway infrastructure and other projects with potential to boost economic growth and improve the wellbeing of Edo people.
At a meeting in Government House in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo expressed appreciation to the delegation for choosing Nigeria, particularly Edo State, as a destination for its proposed investments.
The governor said the partnership was significant because it would provide an opportunity for Africans in the Diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral homeland and contribute directly to its development.
The governor also emphasised the importance of Diaspora investment, stressing that Edo must create an environment that encourages people of African descent living abroad to return home and contribute to development.
“Investment back home is the most important. Because these people actually took our people. But now, our people want to come back home,” he said.
Okpebholo, who described himself as someone who prefers to remain in his home country, said he was committed to developing Edo State and ensuring that investment opportunities were created for people willing to contribute to its growth.
Okpebholo also highlighted the role of the Edo State Diaspora Agency in strengthening the relationship between the state and its citizens and people of African descent living outside the country.
According to him, although the agency was established through legislation before his administration, it was not properly operationalised by the previous administration.
He said his administration had taken steps to establish and strengthen the agency because of the importance of Diaspora engagement to the state, particularly in view of the huge financial remittances sent home by Africans in the Diaspora.
“Looking at the remittances back home, I feel we should give them a chance. That is why you see the Diaspora agency that we have today. And we hope to expand on it,” he said.
Dr Louis Georges Tin, who led the delegation, expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for the hospitality extended to his team, stressing that the proposed partnership went beyond conventional economic development.
According to him, the State of the African Diaspora represents about 350 million people of African descent across the world.
“For us, it is not just about development, it is also spiritual. Because the State of the African Diaspora represents 350 million people of African descendants,” Tin said.
He explained that many members of the Diaspora were descendants of Africans who were forcibly taken from the continent, stressing that their return should be viewed as a process of reconnection rather than tourism.
“People who came out of Africa, who were deported from Africa, most of them were actually here before. So, when we come back to Africa, we are not doing tourism, we are meeting families. It’s reconnection,” he said.
Tin disclosed that his delegation had visited various locations in Edo State and examined existing and proposed development projects with a view to identifying areas where the State of the African Diaspora could contribute.
He specifically mentioned the proposed seaport, railway development and agriculture as areas of interest to the partnership.
“We also saw the seaport where we would like to contribute as well and bring development. The railway from Gele to the north as well. Agriculture, of course, is also on the table,” he said.
He said teams from both sides had been constituted to work together on the identified projects, adding that the State of the African Diaspora had also formally commenced the process of nominating its representatives.
“The members of your team and members of my team are going to be working together. I’m glad to know that you have already made a nomination. On my side, I also signed an executive decree so that they can be nominated and work together,” Tin said.
According to him, the joint teams had already identified several projects considered to be of interest to the people of Edo State, with the list of priority projects forwarded to the Attorney-General for legal review.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Roland Otaru, also reviewed the proposed agreement and highlighted areas requiring clarification and adjustment before final implementation.
He noted that the identified areas of disagreement were subject to legal consideration and possible amendments to ensure that the agreement adequately protects the interests of Edo State while providing a workable framework for the proposed investments.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okoro, said the visit was aimed at deepening collaboration between the state and the State of the African Diaspora in pursuit of sustainable development.
She explained that the State of the African Diaspora comprises people and institutions working with the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals to promote a vision of an Africa capable of building its future through strategic partnerships and development initiatives.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Edo State Government, including the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Yakubu Musa; and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, among other government officials.
The proposed partnership is expected to provide a framework for collaboration between Edo State and the State of the African Diaspora in attracting investment, developing critical infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for the people of the state.
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