Agency Report –
Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, Director-General of the Edo Diaspora Agency, on Thursday emphasised the importance of diaspora voting, stating that it would benefit Nigerians both at home and abroad.
Ogboro-Oko, while seaking in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, urged Nigerians in the diaspora not to relent in advocating for diaspora voting.
She noted that sustained advocacy was essential to achieving the desired outcome in future elections.
“I want to tell us that diaspora voting is going to benefit everybody. Right now, some people think it will only benefit those in government, but that’s not true.
“It’s a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to pushing Nigeria forward,” she said.
She emphasised that legislating and passing the diaspora voting bill into law would help ensure Nigerians elected competent leaders.
“We’ll be putting square pegs in square holes, and that will enhance governance in Nigeria,” she added.
Ogboro-Okor explained that a diaspora voting policy would empower Nigerians abroad to contribute more actively to nation-building by bringing back skills and expertise developed overseas.
“Imagine voting and not feeling left out, you’ll feel a responsibility to return and contribute your quota to national development.
“This is why we in Edo believe it’s a key step towards future growth. We also need to consider second- and third-generation Nigerians abroad.
“They proudly identify as Nigerians, just like I proudly identify as Edo. We must harness their civic engagement at the national level.”
The director-general revealed that an estimated 17 million Nigerians live in the diaspora, with a significant number from Edo State.
She noted that Edo contributed around 31 per cent of Nigeria’s total diaspora remittances.
Ogboro-Okor reiterated that the substantial contribution underscored Edo’s role as a major player in Nigeria’s economic development.
She cited World Bank data from 2017, which reported 22 billion dollars in total remittances to Nigeria, 6 billion dollars of which originated from Edo State alone.
