If you see Edo politicians coming to the Edo diaspora to ask for votes, it is because of two reasons. The first reason is the Edo diaspora are the ones looking after our people at home and the second reason is we are organised. Our Edo organisation in diaspora is down to some real Edo champions and Edo2024 is bringing them to the much-deserved reckoning.
In 2019, the reason Edo Connect was able to organise the first Edo UK summit which was attended by Gov. Obaseki is because of the Edo Diaspora Community structure in the UK. This has been set up and maintained by well-meaning Edo people who have dedicated their time and resource to Edo community unity. Over many years Benin Union UK, Esan voice UK, and the Afenmai union UK are three organisations that are harmoniously keeping the Edos in the UK diaspora as One community.
The Odionwere Council of the United Kingdom & Ireland is the Apex organisation for the Benins in Diaspora, but the 3 unions mentioned above are the foot soldiers who co-ordinate and represent their tribes in diaspora on every front. They are the link between the Edo villages in Edo State, The Edo diaspora, Edo professionals in Diaspora, Edo Culture, Edo children in diaspora and a whole lot more. They are our leaders and the cogs of our Edo Diaspora UK structure.
When former Edo Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Ero, who is now the deputy director for Asue/Ogie campaign wanted to convince the Edo diaspora about their candidate, I was only too happy to point him in the right direction.
On Saturday 20 July 2024 in London, the first meeting between a serving Government official and the leaders of the Edo Diaspora 3 senatorial districts took place. Osaze Ero thanked them and informed them of all what Asue Ighodalo wants to do for Edo State if elected Governor in September 2024. Osaze Ero came with a book of Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s achievements in their villages and explained why Asue is the man to take over. Mr Henry Aimiuwu (President, Benin Union UK) and Destiny Evbodaghe (Esan Voice President) were not happy with the state of Education in Edo State. Stating exercise books and pens are still been handed out by diaspora and Edobest in their localities. Alhaji Ahmed (Afenmai union vice president) mourned the lack of diaspora interaction after the 2019 summit. Osaze Ero showed in his book the progress of Edobest in Esan and explained the PDP candidate of Asue Ighodalo is promising a better engagement with the Edo diaspora.
All in all, it was a good interaction with added advantages including adding Edo diaspora leaders to guarantees by Edo politicians, recognition of community service, recognition of hierarchy and an attraction to the Edo diaspora community from Edos who are not interested in community matters.
Edo 2024 Labour candidate Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata will be in London this weekend and he may now want to hear from the leaders of our Edo diaspora community.
Obaghtorkpere Isee
The Editor