Empowerment

The Director General of the Ekiti State Diaspora Relations Agency, Dr. Adeola Adeleye Fasubaa, has highlighted Ekiti State’s strides in diaspora engagement at the National Summit of State Diaspora Focal Point Officers, held in Calabar, Cross River State, from October 6th to 9th, 2025. The three-day summit, hosted at the Miri-Epihen Hall, was jointly organized by the Cross River State Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), under the leadership of Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM. The event brought together focal point officers from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, along with key government officials, legislators, and stakeholders in diaspora affairs. Platform for Dialogue and Collaboration According to the report presented by Dr. Fasubaa, the summit served as a strategic platform for strengthening coordination among states, assessing the implementation of the National Diaspora Policy, and promoting exchange of ideas and best practices to deepen diaspora-driven development. The objectives of the summit included enhancing synergy between NiDCOM and state diaspora offices, sharing success stories, identifying challenges in diaspora engagement, and fostering national unity through collective action. Courtesy Visit to Cross River Government House Activities commenced on October 6th, with the arrival of delegates and a courtesy visit to the Government House, Calabar, where participants were warmly received by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, who represented the Governor. The Deputy Governor commended NiDCOM and participating states for their dedication to harnessing the potential of Nigerians abroad for national development, emphasizing diaspora engagement as a catalyst for inclusive growth. Summit Sessions and Presentations The main sessions began on October 7th, featuring goodwill messages from Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, members of the National Assembly, and the Cross River State House of Assembly. During the presentations, each state provided detailed progress reports on their diaspora-related initiatives. The Ekiti State delegation, led by Dr. Fasubaa, delivered a comprehensive presentation that highlighted the state’s milestones, ongoing projects, challenges, and future strategies. Her presentation received widespread commendation for its clarity, strategic focus, and practical approach to strengthening diaspora participation in Ekiti’s socio-economic development. In her address, Dr. Dabiri-Erewa praised the efforts of state diaspora focal points and urged them to sustain their collaboration with NiDCOM to achieve a unified national diaspora engagement framework. Cultural Tour and Closing Dinner The final day of the summit, October 8th, featured a guided tour of significant cultural and historical sites in Calabar, including the Cross River State Diaspora Commission Office, Calabar Zoo, and the National Museum, Calabar. Participants later attended a closing dinner and networking session, which provided an informal platform for inter-state collaboration and experience sharing. The evening was marked by goodwill messages, appreciation speeches, and cultural performances celebrating the summit’s success. Observations and Recommendations Dr. Fasubaa noted that the summit had effectively strengthened cooperation between NiDCOM and the state diaspora offices while promoting shared learning among states. She recommended the institutionalization of the National Diaspora Summit as an annual event, the creation of budget lines for diaspora-related programs in all states, and periodic monitoring of policy implementation by NiDCOM. Other key recommendations included capacity-building programs for state officers and frameworks to attract diaspora investment and remittances. Ekiti’s Renewed Commitment In her closing remarks, Dr. Fasubaa reaffirmed Ekiti State’s commitment to leveraging the potential of its global citizens for economic, social, and cultural advancement. “The summit was a resounding success. It has reinforced our determination to connect Ekiti indigenes across the world with opportunities that contribute to the prosperity of our state and the nation at large,” she said. The report further marks another milestone in the state’s ongoing commitment to diaspora partnership and development.

The wife of the governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji has promised to ensure that her pet project, “Adire Ekiti” would be sustained beyond her tenure in office as the First Lady. Dr. Oyebanji made this known in her office in Ado Ekiti while playing host to the Director-General, Diaspora Relations, Dr. Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa. She pointed out that the fabric initiative is a non -governmental initiative that has provided job opportunities to many women and unemployed youths in Ekiti State. “My intention is to give back to the society by providing means of livelihood through Adire making and to also support my husband, Mr Governor in his quest to alleviate poverty in the land. I can assure you that I will put all measures in place to ensure that this project continues even after my tenure as the First Lady” she said. While applauding Ekiti State indigenes in the diaspora for represe nting Ekiti well, Dr. Oyebanji called for partnership between her office and Ekiti sons and daughters in the diaspora on the initiative – to  extend its frontiers and bring the State’s heritage into global reckoning. Earlier in her remarks, the Director-General, Diaspora Relations, Dr. Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa commended the First Lady for her “Adire Ekiti ” initiative and her dedication to showcasing “Adire Ekiti” as a cultural heritage and to empower unemployed youths and women. The DG who paid a visit to the Adire Hub expressed satisfaction over the production equipment in place, and promised on behalf of the Ekitis in diaspora, to sponsor the training of 50 Ekiti indigenes in the in the art of Adire-making at the Hub. She urged the First Lady whom she described as a role model and an astute academic to keep up the great work she is doing in the State. In particular, she commended Dr. Oyebanji for her contribution in the education sector through her voluntary teaching services at various Universities within the State.