Abuja: Dr. Loretta Ogboro-Okor, Director-General of the Edo Diaspora Agency, highlighted the crucial role of diaspora voting, emphasizing its potential benefits for Nigerians both domestically and internationally. During an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Ogboro-Okor appealed to Nigerians living abroad to continue advocating for the implementation of diaspora voting.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ogboro-Okor stressed the importance of persistent advocacy to achieve success in future electoral processes. She argued that diaspora voting would not solely advantage government officials but would serve the broader population by integrating both top-down and bottom-up strategies to advance Nigeria.
The director-general asserted that enacting a diaspora voting bill would ensure the election of capable leaders in Nigeria. “We’ll be putting square pegs in square holes, and that will enhance governance in Nigeria,” she remarked, emphasizing the positive impact on governance.
Ogboro-Okor further explained that allowing Nigerians abroad to vote would enable them to contribute more effectively to the nation’s development by utilizing skills and expertise acquired overseas. She noted the sense of inclusion and responsibility that would encourage them to return and aid in national progress, particularly for future generations.
She highlighted the significance of involving second- and third-generation Nigerians abroad, who continue to identify strongly with their Nigerian heritage. Ogboro-Okor pointed out that approximately 17 million Nigerians reside in the diaspora, with a significant portion hailing from Edo State, which contributes about 31 percent of Nigeria’s total diaspora remittances.
She referenced World Bank data from 2017, which indicated that Nigeria received 22 billion dollars in remittances, with 6 billion dollars originating from Edo State alone. This substantial contribution, she noted, underscores Edo’s vital role in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
