…acting locally, thinking globally for diaspora engagement and sustainable inflow of foreign direct investment.
By Mfon Jacott.
Diaspora engagement relates to how external stakeholders such as governments and other organizations interact with members of its diaspora, in addition to how the diaspora community itself cooperates with its people and institutions as internal stakeholders. All work together to harness the development of both their homelands and countries of residence. An individual or organization within a diaspora is not only a reflection of the country to which they have migrated but also a reflection of their country of origin
Generally speaking, when people think of harnessing diaspora power, it relates to remittances and how financial investments will be channeled to their homelands. This is indeed an integral part of diaspora development in the agenda of the office of the Senior Special
Assistant on Diaspora Matters led by Hon. Linda Akon Umoh.
Her intention for diaspora engagement aims to maximize and harness the power of the resources and capacity of multiple stakeholders with the traditional institution as a vehicle for peacebuilding in the State and trust within the diaspora community.
30th September 2023 recorded monumental strides in her commitment to homeland development with an interactive session with the President-General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon D. Etuk.
The monarch in his statement, stated that rural women are experiencing healthcare challenges at an alarming rate and there is a need for Universal Health Converge to ensure service delivery of a quality primary health system. This he believes will ensure equitable access and transformation of health care services that are funded, managed, and delivered for the needs of people and communities.
The monarch further charged the Diaspora directorate in Diaspora mapping that ensure financial capital inflow and knowledge transfer that will create the needed industries for a vibrant rural economy in terms of job creation and revenue generation at the local government level.
He posited that collaborative approaches between the traditional institution and diaspora community will guarantee inclusive governance which will encourage land allocation for industrial agriculture investment, medical infrastructure, and specialized education projects that will leverage social intervention programs for the poorest poor.
Ms. Linda in her closing remarks applauded the monarch’s brilliance in the affairs of state development with rural development in focus.
She reinstated Governor Umo Eno’s eight-point “ARISE AGENDA” into 17 focal sectors, clearly detailing what can be achieved within a “short to medium and long terms” framework. Also applauding the Governor’s strides in boosting medical tourism with the development of a world-class medical city and industrial agriculture by Turkish investors.
Also raising hopes of over 1000 new jobs and more diaspora engagement with the Federal Government-owned Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) in Akwa Ibom State which will attract as much as $6 billion worth of investments to the zone in the next six years once the necessary infrastructure is put in place.
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