Dr Legend Asuelime, the Director General of EDO-APC Diaspora Council has commended an APC governorship aspirant in Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on his plan to set up a diaspora desk if elected governor of the state.
Asuelime, in an interview,described the plan as apt and visionary, and a recognition of the importance people in the Diaspora have to the economy in the state.
"The Diaspora Desk can serve much more than the aspirant has identified in that 3-minute video.
"The Diaspora Desk can serve as a liaison and point of contact for channeling Foreign Direct Investments into the state.
"It can serve a station for innovative ideas that can advance governance systems in general for the state; it can be a hub for Edo people in Diaspora across party lines for the conception and articulation of development thoughts to aid the government.
"It will certainly be a part of the state's engagement front with the National Diaspora Community; and it will have representatives or contact persons for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in Abuja, among others, " the DG added.
He however said that the commendation was not an endorsement of Ize-Iyamu, but a recognition of a vision that would be beneficial to the state.
"Whichever candidate emerges from APC, we believe he or she will win 2024 gubernatorial elections.
"Thus, our hopes and mandate must necessarily encompass the need to ensure that only aspirants with vision and an enlightened mind to understand the import of Diaspora in government are given serious consideration during the party's primaries
"Ours will be to help the government shape and harness Edo Diaspora crust and core for the advancement of our beloved state and people."