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 leader 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)
Advantages of having a leader from amongst us include improving our
relationship with the Edo state Government and other institutions by
organising ourselves and knowing what we want. We must no longer play
catch up to the state Govt. It is taking our affairs into our own hands.