The Edo State Diaspora Agency (EDSDA) and Edo State Tourism Agency (EDTA) have assured prospective visitors that Edo State is safe, vibrant, and fully prepared to deliver an exciting and memorable Yuletide experience.
The assurance was given on Saturday in Benin City by the Director-General of EDSDA, Dr. Loretta Ogboro-Okor, and her EDTA counterpart, Lady Vivian Elabor, during a joint press briefing.
Elabor commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his commitment to security and governance, noting that proactive security investments by his administration have strengthened public confidence. She urged visitors to approach the festive season with assurance, highlighting that robust measures have been put in place to safeguard lives and property.
Ogboro-Okor corroborated this position, revealing that the State Government has made significant investments in security infrastructure, with strategic interventions deployed across key corridors and tourist destinations to ensure safety for residents, returnees, and visitors throughout the Yuletide period.
On tourism development, Lady Elabor said the EDTA is advancing the Okpebholo administration’s SHINE Agenda by repositioning Edo State with a renewed and compelling tourism narrative.
“The progressive and aggressive commitment to ‘Edo Rising’ is the wind beneath the agency’s wings. We are consolidating Edo’s cultural identity while expanding its appeal as a leading tourism destination,” she said.
Elabor also highlighted institutional strengthening, preservation of heritage assets, and strategic collaborations aimed at projecting Edo State’s rich cultural history.
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Dr. Ogboro-Okor provided an overview of EDSDA’s 2025 initiatives, including the launch of a Diaspora Help Desk, which recorded over 20,000 documented interactions in its first two weeks. She said the platform addresses inquiries on investment opportunities, reintegration, identity documentation, and general support services.
She further disclosed that over 300 diaspora volunteers have been mapped globally to create a comprehensive database, while collaborations with national institutions such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been deepened.
“We have sustained global outreach, engaging Edo diaspora communities in Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom to promote reintegration, collaboration, and sustainable partnerships that support Edo State’s socio-economic development,” Dr. Ogboro-Okor said.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Governor Okpebholo’s vision of a secure, culturally vibrant, and economically attractive Edo State, assuring visitors that the Yuletide season presents an ideal opportunity to experience the State’s safety, heritage, and hospitality.