By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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Ondo State House of Assembly has said that diaspora and regional integration are key in driving sustainable development .

 It therefore advised the Management of the State Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations to engage in programmes that will create awareness and promote the ministry in order to achieve its mandate.

The Chairman, House Committee on International Relations and Diaspora Matters, Babatunde Fasonu who stated this when he led other members on a familiarization visit to the ministry in Akure, emphasised the need to facilitate strategic policy and advice for effective service delivery.

He said “There’s need for you to equally create a platform that will enable those people making traveling arrangements to communicate with you  in advance, find out adequately to see if such arrangement is either null and void or will be of benefit to them.”

Fasonu commended the Management of the Ministry for its efforts in promoting the state, urging them to do more in achieving the set goal.

The committee assured of its legislative backings and enjoined the ministry to carry the House along in its activities so that they can achieve more for the people.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner of the Ministry, Prince Boye Ologbese pointed out that the ministry has the responsibilities of midwifing developmental activities/projects of Development Agenda of Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission in the state and as well as collaborate with other states in the Southwest Region of Nigeria.

He added that the ministry also connects with the Ondo State citizens in diaspora, with a view to attracting diaspora investments and engagements, thereby fostering socio – economic growth of the State.

While stressing that he is certain that the ministry would achieve a lot under the leadership of the committee, he sought the support of the legislature to help the ministry perform optimally.

“The ministry intends to have a Diaspora Smart City and if the bill to establish it is officially passed, it will attract a global attention and will transform the economy of the state as a whole”.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Lola Amuda while giving a brief of the ministry, explained that its mission is to support the realization of the state’s sustainable development aspirations by leveraging on the potentials, including collaborations and opportunities in diaspora investment and engagement.

She further stressed that the ministry has the objectives of promoting a strong working relationship with all MDAs in and outside the state, improving organised efficiency and refocus the ministry to deliver its mandate as it relates to the state’s REDEEMED AGENDA.