Edo Agencies Plan Memorable Christmas, New Year Activities

Director-General of Edo State Diaspora Agency (EDSDA), Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor and her counterpart in Edo State Tourism Agency, Lady Vivian Elabor, yesterday said Governor Monday Okpeholo had put measures in place to ensure that residents of the state enjoy a memorable festive season.

They spoke at an end-of-year press conference in Benin City where they also highlighted some of the notable achievements of their various agencies. They expressed confidence in delivering on Senator Monday Okpeholo’s mandate to boost tourism and build synergy with Edo indigenes in the diaspora.

Dr Ogboro-Okor highlighted 6the 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 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 is 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, adding that the agency is 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.