The United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its support for the Edo State Government following the outcome of the Edo Global Investment Summit held from 20 to 22 September 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The summit, themed “Catalytic Partnerships: Global Funding and Local Impact,” featured investors, government officials and diaspora stakeholders, with the Edo State Diaspora Agency taking the lead under its pioneer Director General, Dr. Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor.
In a statement signed by Dr. Iyore Monday Ugiagbe (Secretary/Financial Secretary), Ambassador Joseph Ehigiamusoe (Global Deputy Director), Comrade Richard Abada (Zonal Coordinator), Dr. Charles Omorodion (Zonal Coordinator), Hon. Abieyuwa Jegunma (UK Women National Leader), Chief Monday Iyore Osagie (Mobilisation), Engr. Osahon Amadasun (LOC Member), Comrade Marshal Oriakhi, Comrade Eromosele Ray-Aigbokhai, Comrade Tijani Ikhilor, Dr. Jimmy Ojo, Hon. Emike Obazee, Comrade Harrison Abu, Comrade Austin Agbonmwan, Comrade Oduagbon Eddison Eraighewu, Hon. Vivian Elabor and Comrade Eghosa Ohuimumwen, the Chapter described the establishment of the Diaspora Agency and the appointment of Dr. Ogboro-Okor as a decisive step towards mobilising the resources and expertise of Edo citizens abroad for the development of the state.
The group recalled its earlier engagement with Dr. Ogboro-Okor at a welcome meeting held in London on 17 August 2025, where it pledged to work closely with the Agency to achieve its objectives.
At the Glasgow summit, Governor Monday Okpebholo also held an interactive session with APC UK/Ireland leaders including Dr. Ugiagbe, Engr. Amadasun, Comrade Ikhilor and Dr. Omorodion. The Governor was said to have restated his administration’s commitment to attracting investments and deepening diaspora participation in governance and development.
The Chapter further acknowledged a separate meeting with the Edo APC Chairman, Comrade Jarret Tennebe, during which he pledged to collaborate with the UK/Ireland leadership in future party activities and initiatives geared towards the development of Edo State.
Among the highlights of the summit was the pledge by the European African Chamber of Commerce and Industries, led by Ambassador Kingsley Obasohan, to invest $250 million in Edo State.
In addition, a bilateral agreement was signed with a reputable UK university alongside other investment commitments.
The Chapter also noted the inclusion of its representatives in the Local Organising Committee of the Glasgow summit, which it said demonstrated the Diaspora Agency’s openness to broad-based collaboration and partnership.
It welcomed Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to revisit the Diaspora Development Blueprint, stressing that it would continue to engage constructively with his administration and the agency under Dr. Ogboro-Okor to sustain the drive for greater investment inflows and ensure Edo continues to shine brighter.