Ondo: Citizens in diaspora valuable assets to our development

The Ondo government has expressed commitment to collaborating with its diaspora community to drive investments in the state.

Officials of the state government made the pledge during the diaspora summit organised to woo indigenes across the globe to invest in the state.

The summit was held virtually on December 2 for participants in North and South America and December 9 for those in Europe and other regions.

Hosted by Boye Ologbese, Ondo commissioner for regional integration and diaspora, and anchored by Rinsola Abiola, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on citizenship and leadership, the event featured notable participants, including senior government officials at the federal level and across the south-west region, traditional heads, dignitaries from the diaspora, renowned private sector representatives with business interests in the state, and representatives of key development partners such as UNDP and the European Union.

In his keynote address, Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, said the state recognises its diaspora community as a valuable asset and a crucial development partner.

Represented by Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, the governor advised the participants to identify and leverage investment opportunities within the state.

He highlighted agricultural, tech and real estate as key areas for investments, assuring them of the government’s commitment to protecting their businesses.

Wale Akinterinwa, commissioner of finance, emphasised the importance of responsible fiscal management, highlighting some of the key investment-friendly attributes of the state, including its coastline status, saying it gives Ondo direct access to the ocean.

Gbenga Badejo, director-general of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), expressed the state’s readiness to facilitate investments from the diaspora by providing structures to capture funding and ensure their successful performance.

Tayo Orisadare, director of ground services and cargo operations at Green Africa, one of the leading airlines in the country, said there exists a mutually-beneficial relationship between the state and the airline.

Adejomi Adegbulugbe, a real estate investor in Ondo, said real estate is a safe investment choice. He urged the diaspora community to explore opportunities to store value and reap immense commercial benefits in the future.

Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency, explained the country’s readiness to leverage the skills, network, and influence of its diaspora community in designing a national policy and securing advancement in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics, among others.

He commended the Ondo government for the productive engagement of its diaspora community, which will accelerate local development.

Bani Ajaka and Adadayo Faduyile, commissioner, and special adviser on health in Ondo state, both highlighted ongoing efforts by the Akeredolu-led administration to deliver on healthcare reforms such as a contributory health insurance scheme, urging healthcare professionals in the diaspora to contribute to the growth of the sector.

Babajide Akeredolu, director-general of Ondo state performance and project implementation monitoring unit (PPIMU), noted the government’s commitment to engaging the diaspora for sustained growth.