The Edo diaspora commission has become the darling of Edo2024 elections to all the leading parties. This is because of the impact of the diaspora to almost every Edo citizen resided in Edo State over the last 25 years. The Edo diaspora has been the survivor of Edo citizens in more ways than one over this period and the Edo populace have grown to trust their diaspora judgement over any politician that is on ground in Edo State, campaigning or otherwise.
For many years Edo state has held the title of receiving the highest remittance from the diaspora into a single state in Nigeria. Up to 40% of Edo working population has been in diaspora for up to 20 years minimum. As the children have grown in diaspora increasing Edo assets, the spending power of the Edo diaspora into Edo State have also reduced. This is due to the fact that aging and family commitments have caught up with Edos in Diaspora.
The main reasons for the formation Edo Diaspora commission are simple- A. our remittances to Edo state are no longer the same due to aging B. our children want a good Edo community in Diaspora so they can get involved and help Edo State. C. Edos want to go back home to invest and stay.
To assist Edo State and our diaspora community, our Edo children in Diaspora need to be brought into the community and replace what their parents use to do. For that to happen Edo children in diaspora want to see things done properly. Things like acknowledgement and care for their parents and community who have done so much for Edo State now need to be seen. We can no longer paper over the cracks. The children know everything about our relationship with the Edo State government and unless that changes, Edo will lose a lot of its future assets in diaspora- to the diaspora, other states in Nigeria or countries that show them they care.
The Edo diaspora needs Edo government support to ensure our Edo generations who mostly have a far superior spending powers and wield more influence in the western world than their parents do see the need to help their community and their state. Their peers from other countries in Diaspora are doing it because of their relationships with their home governments and we want to do the same.
The Zoom call on 22 June 2024 is to look at the structures we have in the Edo Diaspora Community UK and how we can form a commission for the Edo State Government to work with.
Our structures that have served the community so far are The Odionwere Council, Benin Union, Esan Community Unions & associations, Afenmai Associations and unions, Edo next gen, General Edo unions and associations, including Edo churches. Our highest Royals in diaspora Prince Ekpen Erediauwa and Princess Theresa Erediauwa are also here to assist us anytime we need.
The fact is the support for the Edo Diaspora Commission will come from the Edo State government. This is why we must pick a leader amongst us and agree that diaspora support in Edo 2024 will be for the candidate who promises to cater for our diaspora interest. The interest of our diaspora, our children here and Edo state’s prosperity.
Over 20 years we have waited for this opportunity and now we must organise ourselves not to miss it.
Kindly bring all your suggestions to the first Zoom call holding on 22 June 2024 at 4pm. Zoom login details will be available at the end of this week.
Do contact me with any queries on the above.
Kind Regards
Edo Connect
2 thoughts on “Formation of The Edo Diaspora Commission United Kingdom (Zoom Call, Sat 22 June 2024)”
This is very good initiative and is long overdue.
Thank you very much. If we get it right we will gain a lot into our community