Okpebholo Strengthens Tourism, Diaspora Ties Ahead Of Yuletide

The Director-General of Edo State Diaspora Agency (EDSDA), Dr. Loretta Ogboro-Okor, and her counterpart at the Edo State Tourism Agency (EDTA), Lady Vivian Elabor, at the weekend, said Governor Monday Okpeholo has put in place pro-active measures for all Edolites to enjoy a memorable yuletide.

The duo spoke at an end of the year press conference in Benin City, Edo State capital, where they also highlited some of the notable achievements of their respective agencies even as they expressed confidence in delivery on the Senator Okpeholo’s mandate for boosting tourism and building synergy with Edo indigenes in the diaspora.

Dr. Ogboro-Okor highlighted the EDSDA’s institutional and operational advancements, including the launch of a Diaspora Help Desk, which recorded over 20,000 documented diaspora interactions within its first two weeks.

She added that the platform addresses inquiries on investment opportunities, reintegration, identity documentation, and general support services.

She further disclosed that the agency has mapped over 300 volunteers globally, enabling the creation of a comprehensive diaspora database, while also engaging key national institutions such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant agencies to deepen collaboration.

“We have sustained global outreach and advocacy, engaging Edo diaspora communities in Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom to promote reintegration, collaboration, and sustainable partnerships targeted at Edo State’s socio-economic development,” Dr. Ogboro-Okor said.

She added that the agency has also engaged traditional institutions and local government chairmen to facilitate community-based diaspora initiatives, reintegration programmes, and collaborative development projects that strengthen the bond between Edo citizens abroad and their home communities.

On her part, Lady Elabor commended Governor Okpebholo for his unwavering commitment to security and governance, noting that the administration’s proactive security investments have significantly strengthened public confidence.

She urged visitors to approach the festive season in Edo State with assurance, stressing that robust measures have been put in place to safeguard lives and property.

Speaking on tourism development, Lady Elabor said the EDTA was advancing the Okpebholo administration’s SHINE Agenda by repositioning Edo State with a renewed and compelling tourism narrative.

“The progressive and aggressive commitment to ‘Edo Rising’ is the wind beneath the agency’s wings,” she said, adding that the agency was consolidating Edo’s cultural identity while expanding its appeal as a leading tourism destination.

The EDTA Director-General further explained that institutional capacity has been strengthened, heritage assets preserved, and strategic collaborations forged to celebrate and project the rich cultural history of the Edo people.