Delta Endorses Diaspora Business Conference

Photo Credit: Razorpay

By Joy Onoshevwe/Oghogho Emakporuena

Delta State Government has thrown its weight behind the forthcoming Diasporal Business Conference holding in Asaba, the state capital.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Delta Business Platform, Dr Jude Osakwe made the disclosure today at a press briefing in Asaba, to announce the inaugural Delta State Diasporal Business Conference Coming up from 14th – 15th, December, 2020.

Dr Osakwe stated that the goal of the conference was the highlight deliverable investment outcomes on an annual basis through the engagement of relevant agencies of the state government.

According to Osakwe, the purpose was to create better organized channels for Deltans abroad to invest in the economy of the state through capital, intellectual, capacity and network inflow.

He listed sectors of concern includes agriculture and agribusiness, oil and gas service covering up, mid and down streams, light manufacturing, electricity and power generation, transport, ICT, property and real estate, and education, among others.

While saying that the conference would be an annual event, he said that it would work with the Delta State Government to liven the vision of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the betterment of all Deltans.

He added that the conference would not be restricted to a yearly meeting but would work closely with stakeholders such as the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on International Affair, headed by Dr Genevieve Mordi.

The conference convener CEO explained that the SSA would be clearing house for Diaspora Deltans to engage with relevant arms of the state government from time to time, adding that a quarterly diaspora investment briefing would be rolled out in due course.

He disclosed that the conference had opened talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Diaspora Remittances Unit to straightened inflow of diaspora remittances in the various states and Delta in particular.

Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu advised Deltans in the Diaspora and those outside the shores of Delta State to help realise the aspiration of the state government to advance the prosperity of Deltans.

Aniagwu, who coordinated the briefing, said that coming of the conference was one of the collaborative efforts of the state government survive on investments from abroad.

He therefore urged other Deltans in the diaspora, in Nigeria and within the state to join in the efforts of the state government to make the prosperity for all Deltans agenda become more realistic.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on International Affairs, Dr Genevieve Mordi, expressed appreciation to the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, for lending his goodwill and support to the body in launching the inaugural edition of the event.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the endorsement and seal of the Government of Delta State indicating government’s support to the initiative.