As part of its continuing effort to strengthen ties with Ekiti indigenes abroad, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration facilitated another successful Diaspora Town-Hall Engagement on May 16, 2024.
This event, part of the Ekiti State Diaspora Relations’ monthly series, featured notable participation from the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Ekiti indigenes for their exceptional achievements abroad, referring to them as “High Flyers” – some of whom have started appreciable investments in the State’s economy, notably, agriculture. She emphasized the importance of celebrating each other’s successes and praised the Director-General of Ekiti Diaspora Relations, Dr. Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa, for organizing the monthly Diaspora Town-Hall Engagement which was the first of its kind by any State in Nigeria.
H o n . D a b i r i – E r e w a a l s o expressed her keenness to collaborate with Dr. Adeleye-Fasubaa and EKDR on various diaspora engagement initiatives a i m e d a t p r o m o t i n g t h e development of Ekiti State.
The Town-Hall meeting also f e a t u r e d s i g n i fi c a n t contributions from the Hon. C o mm i s s i o n e r o f Y o u t h D e v e l o p m e n t , M r G o l d Adedayo, who provided insights n y o u t h e n g a g e m e n t strategies. He highlighted the crucial role of technology in enhancing productive youth activities, addressing socio-economic issues, and improving security in the State.
Additionally, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security Matters, expanded on security i s s u e s i n E k i t i S t a t e . H i s contribution built on themes from the April 2024 event, which had featured Dr. Dotun Adetunberu, the Director – General for Homeland Intelligence Agency, Ekiti State.
Key proposals included the establishment of a Youth Empowerment/Youth Trust Fund and a Diaspora Security Trust Fund.
The May 2024 edition of the Diaspora Town-Hall Engagement underscored the State Government’s commitment to leveraging the potential of its diaspora community for overall and strategic development and security of Ekiti State.
