When it comes to Edos in Diaspora, there is no advice I can give them when it comes to giving at home.
Call it help, call it aid, support, school fees, medical bills, orphanage homes or random acts of kindness, Edos in diaspora are the champions, supporting their citizens at home in every way possible through periods of successive hard governments in Edo State going as far back as 1983.
Through this period of almost 40 years, things have generally gotten harder for Edos in diaspora, more recently due to harder immigration laws, and as a result you can now find Edos who have spent years in Europe begging on the streets of Italy to survive. Nevertheless, on Facebook at night you will find some of the same Edos telling you what they have done with the money they collected, majorly they send it home for one reason or other.
At Home in Edo State, looking at how this hard-earned money sent from the diaspora has impacted the lives of the citizens or the state will tell a different story. Recently Edos in diaspora cannot go home and have been advised by loved ones not to return, because of the fear of insecurity caused by hunger, unemployment, lack of education and a general no hope for tomorrow.
I have always championed a situation where the Edo diaspora could co-ordinate their help into Edo State and produce some real results with these huge sums. The main hurdle to achieving this was the trust of the people, everybody felt comfortable doing things as we have been for almost 40 years, even if the result as it stands is not good. I almost gave up until Edo Development Aid called me in 2019.
To be honest, Edo Development Aid had a better plan. With EDA, Edos can give anything, starting from £1.00. EDA was able to expand its quest to help Edos at home beyond the Edo diaspora. EDA was able to create a charity focused on helping only people from Edo State and being able to knock on doors internationally for that help. They have passed all the rigorous compliance and transparency tests required by the British Government to be able to set up a Charity that will last generations serving the People of Edo State. EDA’s approach and decision-making process to helping the people of Edo State is also non-bias, not tribalistic, nor regionalist!
I will not go into the financial sums required to set up EDA, rather I will share with you the joy of seeing an Edo person who was willing to absorb this cost so that things can be better with our people in dire needs.
That we all need an organisation like this is an understatement, especially from the diaspora.
EDA was launched a month ago along with the Edo Community UK lottery giving Edo people in the UK a chance to win a jackpot of £25,000.00 whilst helping Edo people at home. Not only that, but EDA has also provided the opportunity for Edos to participate in modern activities in the UK to raise money for Edo people. Walk, run, inota, quiz, dance, karaoke, celebrate, play football, and do many exciting things to raise money for Edo people, just contact EDA to clear details of what activities you would like to do beforehand. 
Charity begins at home and even if the British government have offered to support EDA via gift aid, the scheme would need Edos to give for EDA to be able to access that extra 25% support. If nothing is given, then nothing will be added on top. The importance of giving is encouraged by the British Government.
I play the EDA lottery weekly, and I donate anything, anytime I can by going on the EDA Website, www.edodevaid.org. I ask everybody to please try to do the same.
Lastly, EDA’s advert is of such high standard I will share it with the organisation I work for. They know me to be a very proud Nigerian and one that loves Edo State. For now, I am not sure if they are supporting any charities, but I want them to consider EDA if they are. The EDA advert is very clear, my people need help.
EDA has erected the cornerstone of continuous and transparent help to the people of Edo State and opportunities for development in the Edo Diaspora, however, your support is also crucial to what EDA can do.
Please donate, play the EDA weekly lottery, and share the EDA advert to places where we can get help for the people of Edo State