By Gbadebo Adeagbo
Former Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Diaspora Affairs, to the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Hon. Femi Odere, has called on the governors of the South-West region to establish what he called the South-West Diaspora Commission.
Speaking in Akure on Sunday, November 13, 2022, where he received the “South-West Distinguished Diaspora Ambassador” award, conferred on him by the ‘South-West Heralds’ magazine, Hon. Odere said that the creation of this commission will compliment the developmental efforts of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Commission.
The former Diaspora Focal Point Person for Ekiti State said that the South-West region has all it takes to become a formidable economic marvel and experience modernity as the world knows it within a quarter of a century, if “our leaders can unleash their power of imagination.”
He said, “The South-West Diaspora Commission can be established for the region without prejudice to the states’ economic enhancing ministries and agencies, just as the DAWN Commission was created, in order to address the socio-economic challenges that are common to them.”
He added that “this upwardly mobile, professionally and financially endowed critical mass of Nigerians in Diaspora of South-West extraction are pretty much sitting there, waiting to be asked by their governments for development assistance, because there seems to be something in their culture and DNA that predisposes them to looking back with nostalgia, thereby wanting to help their home fronts.”
Odere averred that our Diaspora, who are still underutilized, can serve as what he called “Rapid Response Squad” of the South-West economic development in some critical areas.
Thanking the publishers of the magazine for the award, Hon. Odere said, “I was just minding my business when the publisher called me that I had been nominated for this award. I interpreted this to mean that my work was being monitored. And it must have been satisfactory enough to warrant this important award. What it also means to me is that you’re indirectly asking me to do more by giving me this award.
“And I will always endeavor to do more whenever the privilege and opportunity presents itself.”
The award was presented by Mr. Olanrewaju Adenaowoola, who represented the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
The event was held at the International Conference Hall of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure.
Fayemi’s Ex-Aide Advocates S’West Diaspora Commission
By Gbadebo Adeagbo
Former Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Diaspora Affairs, to the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Hon. Femi Odere, has called on the governors of the South-West region to establish what he called the South-West Diaspora Commission.
Speaking in Akure on Sunday, November 13, 2022, where he received the “South-West Distinguished Diaspora Ambassador” award, conferred on him by the ‘South-West Heralds’ magazine, Hon. Odere said that the creation of this commission will compliment the developmental efforts of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Commission.
The former Diaspora Focal Point Person for Ekiti State said that the South-West region has all it takes to become a formidable economic marvel and experience modernity as the world knows it within a quarter of a century, if “our leaders can unleash their power of imagination.”
He said, “The South-West Diaspora Commission can be established for the region without prejudice to the states’ economic enhancing ministries and agencies, just as the DAWN Commission was created, in order to address the socio-economic challenges that are common to them.”
He added that “this upwardly mobile, professionally and financially endowed critical mass of Nigerians in Diaspora of South-West extraction are pretty much sitting there, waiting to be asked by their governments for development assistance, because there seems to be something in their culture and DNA that predisposes them to looking back with nostalgia, thereby wanting to help their home fronts.”
Odere averred that our Diaspora, who are still underutilized, can serve as what he called “Rapid Response Squad” of the South-West economic development in some critical areas.
Thanking the publishers of the magazine for the award, Hon. Odere said, “I was just minding my business when the publisher called me that I had been nominated for this award. I interpreted this to mean that my work was being monitored. And it must have been satisfactory enough to warrant this important award. What it also means to me is that you’re indirectly asking me to do more by giving me this award.
“And I will always endeavor to do more whenever the privilege and opportunity presents itself.”
The award was presented by Mr. Olanrewaju Adenaowoola, who represented the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
The event was held at the International Conference Hall of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure.
