A former Edo State commissioner, Paddy Iyamu, has said Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent working visit to the United Kingdom will strengthen diaspora remittances, attract new investments and enhance community development across Edo State.

Speaking with journalists in Benin City on Tuesday, Iyamu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the governor’s engagements with Edo indigenes and business leaders in the UK had renewed confidence among members of the diaspora and demonstrated the administration’s commitment to attracting economic opportunities to the state.

According to him, stronger ties with Edo people living abroad would encourage greater financial inflows, increased investment and broader support for development initiatives.

“The visit will improve diaspora remittances and support because stronger ties with Edo people abroad mean more support for community projects and increased inflows back home,” Iyamu said.

He added that the governor’s visit was designed to expand opportunities for economic growth by encouraging Edo professionals and investors in the diaspora to play a more active role in the state’s development.

Iyamu said the London engagements also provided Governor Okpebholo with an opportunity to showcase the achievements of his administration under the SHINE Agenda, particularly in the areas of security, healthcare, infrastructure and education.

According to him, the governor used the meetings to present Edo as an emerging destination for both local and foreign investment, highlighting ongoing reforms aimed at creating a stable environment for businesses.

“The governor’s engagement was aimed at expanding opportunities for economic growth,” he said.

Iyamu said Okpebholo assured Edo indigenes in the diaspora that his administration was prepared to support genuine investors willing to establish businesses in the state.

He said the governor pledged to provide land to Edo sons and daughters with viable industrial projects, describing the move as part of efforts to accelerate industrialisation, create employment opportunities and diversify the state’s economy.

According to Iyamu, the governor also outlined plans to deepen investments in agriculture and technology, sectors he described as critical to Edo’s long-term economic transformation.

He said one of the initiatives discussed during the visit was the proposed establishment of a Cisco Academy to equip young people in the state with globally competitive digital skills and improve their access to opportunities in the technology sector.

Iyamu further attributed the growing interest of diaspora investors to what he described as improvements in Edo’s security architecture under the current administration.

He said enhanced security would encourage more Edo indigenes abroad to return home, establish businesses and contribute to the state’s economic development.

According to him, a safer environment would also make Edo more attractive to domestic and international investors seeking locations with stable conditions for business operations.

He also commended the governor for engaging directly with participants during the London meetings despite the large turnout, saying the interaction reflected a leadership style that prioritises openness, accessibility and dialogue with citizens.

Iyamu expressed confidence that the outcomes of the UK visit would translate into tangible economic benefits for residents through increased investments, job creation and stronger partnerships between the state government and the Edo diaspora.

He said sustained engagement with Edo indigenes abroad would not only increase remittance flows but also encourage knowledge transfer, innovation and private sector participation in key sectors of the state’s economy, ultimately supporting the government’s broader development agenda.