Edo govt launches UK diaspora town hall tour ahead London executive forum

BENIN CITY – The Edo State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen ties with Edo citizens living abroad by dispatching a high-powered delegation to the United Kingdom for a series of strategic engagements with members of the Edo diaspora ahead of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s official visit to London.

The government’s Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Hon. Osarodion Osagie, disclosed this during a briefing with The Nigerian Observer at his liaison office in Benin City.

Osagie said the delegation would be led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Goddy Francis Okoyo, alongside the Director-General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency (ESDA), Dr. Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, on a four-city town hall engagement across Scotland and England.

According to him, the tour will commence on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with a meeting at Leithland Neighbourhood Centre, 25 Kempsthorn Road, Glasgow G53 5SR, Scotland, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The delegation will continue the engagement on Monday, July 27, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 31 Smedley Lane, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester M8 8XB, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., before moving to Boars Head Buffet, 340 Aldridge Road, Birmingham B44 8BH, on Tuesday, July 28, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The tour will culminate with a London town hall meeting on Wednesday, July 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (UK time) at DEVIEW (formerly Options Cuisine), 720 Old Kent Road, London, SE15 1NG.

He explained that the engagements, themed “Let’s Connect. Let’s Unite. Let’s Build a Greater Edo, Together,” are designed to provide Edo indigenes and friends of the state in the United Kingdom with an opportunity to engage directly with the Governor’s diaspora team, share ideas, discuss issues affecting the community and contribute to the development of Edo State ahead of the Governor’s visit.

Osagie noted that the meetings would also foster unity among Edo people in the diaspora while setting the stage for Governor Okpebholo’s participation in the UK Executive Forum on Friday, July 31, 2026.

“This engagement reflects Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to maintaining close contact with Edo people wherever they reside. Rather than waiting until the end of his administration, he is reaching out to our people in the diaspora early to listen to their ideas, strengthen partnerships and encourage their participation in the development of the state. It is a proactive approach that demonstrates responsive and inclusive leadership,” he said.

Speaking further, Osagie said the Governor’s UK visit would feature the UK Executive Forum, themed “Edo SHINE 2026: Shining Beyond Borders,” organised by the London Professional Training Centre (LPTC) with the support of the Edo State Government, EDODISPORA, EDIDAN and Heartbeat of the Diaspora.

He said the forum would serve as a strategic platform for dialogue, networking, investment promotion and direct engagement between Governor Okpebholo and members of the Edo diaspora community.

According to him, the event will hold on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Oasis Banqueting, 6–8 Thames Road, Barking, London IG11 0HZ, beginning at 5:00 p.m. (UK time). The programme will feature an interactive session with Governor Monday Okpebholo, presentations on investment and business opportunities in Edo State, networking with professionals and investors, a questions-and-answers session with open dialogue, as well as presentations on the administration’s SHINE Agenda, government policies and ongoing development initiatives.

Osagie further revealed that the diaspora engagement initiative would not be limited to the United Kingdom, adding that the government plans to extend similar programmes across Europe, Asia and the Americas to deepen collaboration with Edo citizens overseas.

“Our vision is to build a vibrant global Edo network that will contribute meaningfully to the state’s economic growth and development. We are working on several initiatives that will attract investments, strengthen partnerships and harness the expertise of Edo professionals across the world in support of Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.