Ondo Assembbly Urge Stronger Partnership with Diaspora for State Development
By Awodeyi Elizabeth
The Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Inter-Parliamentary and Diaspora Matters has called on the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders, especially diaspora leaders, to ensure the effective delivery of its mandate.
This appeal was made during an oversight visit to the ministry, where the committee members were warmly received by the Commissioner, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu.
Led by its Chairman and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Olatunji Osatti, the committee stressed the importance of working closely with diaspora leaders who are committed to promoting the interests and welfare of Ondo State indigenes abroad.
According to the lawmakers, the familiarization visit was intended to assess the ministry’s budget performance, identify operational challenges, and explore how the House could support the ministry in fulfilling its goals.
Hon. Osatti noted that synergy between the ministry and diaspora leaders would be crucial in leveraging the expertise and resources of Ondo State citizens overseas for the state’s development.
“We believe that by working together, we can unlock new opportunities for our state and improve the lives of our people,” he said.
Other committee members—Hon. Stephen Abitogun, Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju, and Hon. Fatai Atere—also advised the ministry to maintain open communication with the House, ensuring it receives timely updates and legal support when needed.
“We want to work hand-in-hand with the ministry to ensure that its activities align with the state’s development goals,” they affirmed.
The visit also served as a platform for meaningful engagement and dialogue on how to enhance the ministry’s impact.
In his response, Commissioner Otunba Wale Akinlosotu expressed appreciation to the committee for the visit and thanked the Governor for reappointing him as commissioner for the third time. He underlined the ministry’s strategic importance to the state’s growth and noted that its success hinges on collaboration and vision.
“The ministry is very critical to the development of Ondo State,” Akinlosotu said.
“Whether we like it or not, the ministry does not make the commissioner, but the commissioner makes the ministry. It depends on how we can move this ministry forward to support Ondo State’s development strides.”
He explained the ministry’s dual focus on regional integration and diaspora relations, and the need to partner with neighboring states—particularly in the South-South and South-West—for investment promotion and regional development.
Akinlosotu highlighted key achievements, including the formation of Amotekun, a regional initiative involving southwestern states.
“We collaborated with all the southwestern states to form Amotekun, and it is still functional,” he stated.
He also mentioned the ongoing Smart City project, designed to provide a dedicated hub for diaspora investment.
“This project is a key part of our strategy to harness the potential of our diaspora community and drive economic growth in Ondo State,” the commissioner added.
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