The Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Hon. Boye Ologbese has reaffirmed the commitment of his Ministry to collaborate with other MDAs in the State to drive the Diaspora Direct Investment in the State.
The Hon. Commissioner stated this while playing host to the Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in his office in Akure.
The Hon. Commissioner informed the visiting team that his Ministry has generated a template that would assist in positioning the State to effectively harness its gains in tourism, and as well stated that the Ministry is already working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Infrastructure on a project tagged “Diaspora Estate”.
Giving reason for the innovation, according to his words, he said "We have a lot of our sons and daughters abroad who wants to come home to relax during their holidays in Akure, but have accommodation challenge.
The Diaspora Estate is consequently designed to afford them a serene residence with adequate and relevant facilities “Housing Units, Apartments, Shopping Mall, Amusement Park, Security and 24 hours Electricity and Standard Parks” where they could relax and have fun on visitation to their home State”.
On this note, he further remarked that the initiative would promote the hospitality industry of the State as well as create wealth.
While noting the need to change the narrative of Ondo State from a Civil Servants’ State to a business driven State through tourism and other investments, Hon. Boye Ologbose, stated that the role of Ministry of Culture and Tourism cannot be underplayed in this regard.
He equally relays the intention of his Ministry to also engage Public Private Partnerships “PPPs”; the Ministry of Culture and Tourism alongside the Ministry of Lands and Infrastructure in full realisation of the proposed “Diaspora Estate”.
He also lauded the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Wale Akinlosotu for reviving the Cultural Troupe and the quality of stage performance by the troupe. A feat he described as critical to the development of Tourism in the State.
He therefore advised that it is high time that relevant Ministries should synergised to create business through tourism as it operates in Dubai and United Kingdom.
In the same vein, he commended the leadership of Dawn Commission, Mr. Seyi Oyeleye for the lead role he is playing in repositioning the South West States being the prominent voice of Diasporas in Nigeria.
He as well appreciated the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her utmost commitment towards Diaspora Relations in Ondo State especially the establishment of the State NIDCOM Annex Office in the State to position Ondo State as a business hub of the South West.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Wale Akinlosotu while addressing the meeting, stated that the Ministry has an award winning cultural troupe that excelled in Eko NAFEST and this he said is key to the attainment of Direct Diaspora Investment.
In addition, he established, the readiness of his Ministry to partner with the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations for successful implementation of “Diaspora Estate”.
The meeting was attended by Mrs Lola Amuda, Permanent Secretary Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations and Mrs. Bola Akinyanmi, Permanent Secretary, Culture and Tourism, and Directors from both Ministries.
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