Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
Money sent home by Edo indigenes abroad has unequivocally helped families survive, businesses grow and communities cope with economic pressures, with the state Diasporans’ annual remittances accounting for about $7bn.
But the pioneer Director-General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr. (Mrs.) Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor, says there is something far more valuable waiting to be unlocked.
She urged Edo diasporans to move beyond remittances and begin converting their global connections into opportunities, jobs, innovation and sustainable development for the state.
Dr. Ogboro-Okor made the assertions in her speech at the 33rd Annual Edo National Association Worldwide, ENAW, Convention in Dallas, Texas, United States on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
She said the world had changed and diaspora engagement could no longer be reduced to sending money home.
Dr. (Mrs) Ogboro-Okor declared “remittances are only the beginning,” stressing that the greatest wealth of Edo people abroad was not what could be transferred through a bank, but what could be transferred through their brains.
According to her, expertise, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, access to international markets and global relationships could open doors of opportunity for Edo State across the world.
She painted a picture of an Edo indigene in London, Toronto, Houston, Rome, Dubai, Berlin, Johannesburg or Melbourne opening a door and saying, “Come, there is an opportunity in Edo State.”
On the flip side of the coin, she noted “our greatest wealth is also the ability of the Government to input in the lives of our sons and daughters in other countries, listening to them and adding value to their lives devoid of any partisanships. It is making sure that we do not just see them as ATMs giving, giving and giving of themselves without getting succour back from the government of the day.”
The pioneer DG outlined the agency’s three-pillar mandate as the welfare of Edo people in the diaspora, investments, engagements and partnerships, and the propagation of a positive Edo narrative.
She recalled the case of an Edo indigene who was reportedly sleeping rough in Germany and had been considered missing by relatives in Nigeria.
She stated that through the agency’s volunteer network and helpline, contact was established with the woman’s relatives, and she was eventually assisted in accessing appropriate care in Germany.
“I never knew a Governor I did not vote for would be the one to help me find my relative,” she quoted the woman’s sister as saying.
Dr. (Mrs) Ogboro-Okor said similar interventions had involved Edo people in several countries, including Mali, Libya, Tanzania, Italy and Russia.
She stressed that such assistance was based on humanity rather than political affiliation, tribe, religion or social status.
“When our daughters and sons drown in the Mediterranean, no international news reportage will indicate their parent’s political party affiliations. Rather, they are globally described as being from Edo State,” she declared.
The Edo Diaspora DG further stated that the agency was also seeking to transform diaspora goodwill into practical development partnerships in healthcare, education, skills acquisition and other sectors.
She listed organizations and groups involved in diaspora-driven initiatives in Edo, including Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe, Nurses Across the Borders, National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America, Women Helping Women in Canada, Richard George Foundation, State of the African Diaspora and ENAW.
Dr. Ogboro-Okor also disclosed that the Edo State Diaspora Agency portal was now live, describing it as another channel for engagement between the state and its people across the world.
She said the agency’s third mandate was to help propagate a positive Edo narrative while celebrating the achievements of Edo indigenes around the globe.
The DG insisted that the diaspora strategy must cover the entire state, not Benin City alone.
“We do not mean Benin City alone. We mean all three Senatorial Districts. Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North. We mean all 18 Local Government Areas,” she said.
Dr. (Mrs) Ogboro-Okor challenged diasporans to help connect communities across Edo to the global economy, saying a child in Owan, Esan, Etsako, Akoko-Edo, Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia or Uhunmwode should see Edo identity as an asset rather than a limitation.
She pointed to Dr. Sota Omoigui’s home-oxygen approach for the early management of sickle-cell crises, which was discussed at the convention, as an example of how diaspora medical expertise could potentially be adapted and connected to underserved and rural communities in Edo State.
“From remittances to investment, from migration to knowledge circulation, from individual success to collective impact, from cultural pride to cultural diplomacy, from technology consumption to innovation,” she noted.
Among the dignitaries at the ceremony was the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen who represented the State Governor and Special Guest of Honour, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Representatives of Edo State Government included, Director-General, Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr. (Mrs.) Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor. In attendance with Dr Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor, were the Edo Diaspora Agency Liaison Volunteers, Dr. Osagie Igbinosun, Princess Abieyuwa Obaraye and Mr. Richard Iyase.
Other dignitaries included ENAW outgoing President, Engr. (Mrs.) Bose Ogbeifun-Oviasu; Chief Dr Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN; outgoing Chairman, ENAW Council of Presidents, Engr. Charles Oviawe; Chairman, ENAW Board of Advisors, Barrister Dickson Iyawe; Discoverer of Sickle Cell oxygen treatment, Dr. Sota Omoigui; Nigeria’s former Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; outgoing ENAW Women Affairs Coordinator, Mrs. Meg Uzzi; President, U. Phillip Igbinadolor DMD & Associates, Prince Dr. Uyi Philip Iginadolor and President of ENAW host club, the Edo Association DFW in Dallas Texas, Dr. Edwin Aghedo.
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