Plans are in full gear for the Ondo State Government to convene a summit of its diaspora community in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and other places across the world.
The diaspora summit, which is billed to hold virtually on Saturday, December 2, 2023, for those in North and South America and Saturday, December 9, 2023, for those in Europe and other parts of the world, is an offshoot of the Develop Ondo conference which took place in Akure earlier this year.
The aim of the summit, according to the organisers, is to make Ondo indigenes across the globe aware of investment opportunities in the state, thus fostering an avenue for mutual growth and sustained development.
Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu will be the chief host and will deliver the keynote address. The event will be hosted by Prince Boye Ologbese, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in Ondo State and will be anchored by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, whose office is also providing technical assistance on the planning of the diaspora summit.
The event which boasts a lineup of notable government officials at the federal and state levels and highly respected private sector players and traditional rulers will have as participants, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who is one of the biggest real estate investors in Ondo State and who will speak on the opportunities available in the real estate sector. Also to speak at the event are the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who, until his appointment, was a member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State and Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development and youngest member of the Federal Executive Council.
The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, is also expected to speak on the health sector, a crucial sector which many Ondo diasporans work. Also, the chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is expected to speak on the importance of sustained diaspora engagement and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will speak on investment opportunities available in the tech sector and how Nigerians living abroad can harness these opportunities.
Development partners such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will also be represented at the summit and Dr Seye Oyeleye, Director General of the DAWN Commission, will feature as a panelist.
Officials of the Ondo State government billed to participate in the summit include the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Razaq Obe, the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Director General of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Gbenga Badejo, the Ondo State Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Head of Business Development at ONDIPA, Femi Akarakiri.
Others include Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Adedayo Faduyile OON, Special Adviser on Health, Dr Ajibayo Adeyeye, Special Adviser on Special Duties, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Chairman of the State Information Technology Development Agency and Peace Odili, Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Partnerships.
Private sector players and key players of Ondo diaspora community will serve as panelists. The summit is being organized by the Ondo State Government with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Phase II programme led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, and supported by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs).
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