The four-day working visit to the oil-rich province of Alberta, Canada by Honorable Linda Akon Umoh, was in line with the two-point focal agenda of the Akwa Ibom State Directorate on Diaspora Matters, which are:
1) Diaspora Trust Building and
2) Mobilization of Resources for Homeland Development
✅ 19th DECEMBER 2024 – HER ARRIVAL
Hon. Linda was received warmly at YEG Edmonton International Airport by the Edmonton AKISAN chapter led by the President, Mr. Chris, an indigene of Nsit Ubium LGA. He was accompanied by his Excos and hosted Hon. Linda at a warm dinner reception to set the tone for the four-day working trip in Alberta.
✅ 20th DECEMBER 2024 – AKWA IBOM – ALBERTA INVESTMENT OUTLOOK MEETING:
Hon. Linda hosted the first AKWA IBOM – ALBERTA INVESTMENT OUTLOOK MEETING at the Queen Elizabeth ll Building with AKISAN professionals and two Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Alberta which are: David Shepherd and Sharif Haji.
With the two regions sharing the same economic opportunities in crude oil exploration, agriculture, and tourism, Hon. Linda gave a resounding presentation of Governor Umo Eno’s administration scorecard in critical sectors of the Akwa Ibom economy. Taking into consideration in 2023, Nigeria was Canada’s largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in Africa, with $3.6 billion in total trade. She concluded her presentation with a request for assistance in shared knowledge on governance framework, consultancy in international trade financing, and education exchange program in sustaining the inflow of foreign direct investments.
The feedback from the MLAs was as follows:
MLA David Shepherd commented, …
….”I am very happy to meet with a government official from the oil-rich region of Nigeria and the Exco Members of the Akwa Ibom community here in Edmonton.
…This meeting is the right step to set the tone in building diaspora trust and the relationship that exists between both countries, understanding the fact that both Akwa Ibom State and Alberta share similar comparative advantages in areas of oil and gas.
…I am impressed with the development strides and transparency in sustaining foreign direct investments and would engage my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly on my observations taken down.”
In another development, MLA Sharif Haji commented, …
…”This is the first of many meetings to come in the relationship between these two regions, and I will consult widely in the areas of development needs that the Akwa Ibom State Government seeks.
…Outcomes of similar meetings in the past ended in collaboration between the Alberta government and that of the Philippines.
…I therefore advise on a win-win situation where the government of Alberta can also benefit in bilateral ties with the government of Akwa Ibom State.
…I want to further emphasize that Alberta is well-known as a major exporter of beef products into Asia and North America and the expertise in developing our livestock farming will be one of the key areas of leverage”.
✅ 21st DECEMBER 2024 – AKISAN EDMONTON CHAPTER CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Edmonton, known to be the oil capital of Canada, is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta and situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the center of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
A region known for top industries in Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Advanced Technology, Financial Services and Tourism.
In an increasingly interconnected world, building diaspora trust among Akwa Ibomites in Edmonton has become a necessity for the Akwa Ibom State Directorate on Diaspora Matters. Strengthening these connections offers significant growth opportunities for business, culture, and education of the Akwa Ibom economy.
The AKISAN Edmonton chapter Christmas celebration presented a great opportunity for destination marketing in heritage tourism and the governance scorecard of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
This special event played an essential role in closing the trust gap that exists between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Edmonton Akwa Ibom diaspora community.
It was also a platform to unite the regions of Akwa Ibom and Alberta as it gave Hon. Linda an opportunity to shed light on their shared heritage and investment opportunities. She also highlighted the business round table in Toronto held by the Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka led the administration of the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, UCCDA, in March 2024.
The President of AKISAN Edmonton chapter, Mr. Chris lauded Hon. Linda’s selfless leadership in accepting the invitation. He stated that in a high-profile event like this where the Canadian MLAs, one Councilor for the city of Edmonton, Jo-Anne Wright, a former State House of Assembly Member representing Esit Eket, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Usoro Akpanusoh and other top policymakers are present to effectively show the responsiveness and sincerity of the purpose of Governor Umo Eno’s led administration in affairs of the diaspora community and a time for fertilization ideas toward homeland development.
✅ 22nd DECEMBER 2024 – THE EDMONTON ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION MEETING
The last days of the four-day working visit to Alberta Canada became the peak of the visit as Dr. & Mrs. Aquaeno Ekanem hosted Hon. Linda, the AKISAN Edmonton chapter Excos, and Akwa Ibom professionals in Edmonton to a dinner in his mansion. This is the first AKWA IBOM – ALBERTA ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION MEETING.
It was a time to network and interface with the Akwa Ibom State Government on pressing concerns affecting the Akwa Ibom diaspora community in Edmonton. Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Usoro Akpanusoh, who was visiting Canada, was in attendance to moderate the session.
The moment gave an opportunity for feedback on the government’s ARISE agenda and policy thrust on cultural exchange programs for the benefit of the younger generation.
Also, participation in the ARISECare health insurance schemes for the benefit of relatives and medical outreach was discussed.
In the area of foreign direct investment, the agriculture export market was the focal point of discussion with smart farming for commercial yield and merchandised farming inputs.
The area of social investment, medical outreach programs, and an elderly health care center took the front burner.
Complied by Mr Mfon Jacott
