From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Ondo State Government is working hard to organise a summit of its diaspora population in Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America, among other regions of 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.
According to a statement, the summit is being organised 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 Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
The summit’s objective is to raise awareness among Ondo indigenous people worldwide about the state’s investment prospects, opening doors for reciprocal advancement and long-term development.
The Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in Ondo State, Boye Ologbese, who is the host of the event, Chief Host, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will deliver the keynote address.
The event will be anchored by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Rinsola Abiola, whose office is also providing technical assistance on the planning of the diaspora summit.
Some notable government officials at the federal and state levels, and highly respected private sector players and traditional rulers expected including, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who is one of the biggest real estate investors in Ondo State, is billed to speak on the opportunities available in the real estate sector.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who, until his appointment, was a member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State is also expected to speak, and Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
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 in.
Director-General and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is to speak on the importance of sustained diaspora engagement and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, will speak on investment opportunities available in the tech sector and how Nigerians living abroad can harness these opportunities.
Development partners such as the UNDP will also be represented at the summit and Director General of the DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye, will feature as a panelist.
Officials of the Ondo State government built to participate in the summit include the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources, Razaq Obe, Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Director General of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Gbenga Badejo, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Raimi Aminu, and the Head of Business Development at ONDIPA, Femi Akarakiri.
Others include the Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, Special Adviser on Health, Adedayo Faduyile Special Adviser on Special Duties, Ajibayo Adeyeye, Chairman of the State Information Technology Development Agency Olumbe Akinkugbe, and Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Partnerships, Peace Odili.
Private sector players billed to feature as panelists at the summit include Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, leading Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Founding Partner at Future Africa, Folajomi Adegbulugbe, Director of Business at RBD Limited, Joel Ogunsola, Founder of Prunedge, and Prince Adebiyi Ayeni, who serves in the management team of leading real estate company, Jide Taiwo & Co.
Also featuring are key members of the Ondo diaspora community such as Kehinde Olateju, CEO of Business Analytic Consulting, Dr. Akinloye Olorungbemi, DPT, CEO of Optima Physical Therapy, and Dr. Oluremi Adewale, Founder and CEO of Women Focus Canada.