Edo Connect Proposal for The First Edo Diaspora UK Commissioner

The Edo Diaspora population in the United Kingdom has grown to over 100,000 people in the last 30 years since we started heavy migration out of our state. The current population of Edos settled with families across the United Kingdom is entering its third generation and more Edos are arriving recently as a result of the JAPA wave.

The need for unity, co-ordination and organisation in our community has now become more evident. In the past 8 years the Edo State Government has made attempts to add “Diaspora Affairs” to the portfolio of the Edo State Arts & Culture Commissioner. That has not worked out due to many reasons, mainly a lack of understanding of the scope & structure of the Edo diaspora. The current commissioner has no time for the needs of the diaspora in the UK, as these will always be overtaken by affairs at home.

The proposal for an Edo Diaspora Commissioner comes from the fact that we now need a person/ an office to interface with all aspects of the growing Edo Diaspora. Information flow and presence is now required especially to support and encourage the new generation of Edos in the community.

The functionalities of The Edo Diaspora UK Commissioner will include Connecting with all levels of The Edo Community:

• The Edo Elderly
• The Edo Unions & Associations
• The Edo professional Community
• The Edo Women Community
• The Edo Alumnae
• The Edo Extraction Community of Delta etc
• The Edo Church Community
• The Edo New Generation Community
• The Nigerian Embassy
• The Edo State Government (Information point)
• The Traditional Council (Information Point)   

The Position of “Edo Diaspora Commissioner”

This is an Edo Diaspora position and will go through our Odionwere Council and associations of the 3 Senatorial districts in Diaspora, as well Edo professional groups before it will be approved. This position will have nothing to do with The Edo State Government. It is to unite the large Edo UK Diaspora and act as a point of contact serving the interest of the Edo Diaspora.

Eligibility to contest for the position are Age 40 to 65, Male or Female, a Professional with Edo community interest.

Time Scale: The position will be available to start March 2024

Advantages of an Edo Diaspora Commissioner: Improve our relationship with the Edo state Government and other institutions by organising ourselves, knowing what we want and no longer have to play catch up to the state Govt. It is taking our affairs into our own hands like our Edo diaspora records. See below.

We need to start having our own records documenting our lives and achievements in the diaspora.

• A record of Edo Diaspora Achievers in the UK
• A record of Edo Diaspora Businesses in the UK
• A record of retirees, graduates and Edo excellence etc
• A record of what happens to Edo diaspora members when they visit home-lost property etc
• A record of what The Edo diaspora need from the State Govt or Traditional Council
• A record of Diaspora businesses and achievements in Edo State

More details will be available soon. Please feel free to contact me with any queries on the above.

Kind Regards