In a move to attract international expertise and investment, Bayelsa State played host to a unique diplomatic delegation this week.
Governor Douye Diri, on Monday, welcomed the Prime Minister of The State of Africa in Diaspora (SAD), Dr. Louise-George Tin, to Government House in Yenagoa, marking the group's first official partnership visit to Nigeria.
The meeting, which included top state officials, focused on building a collaborative relationship aimed at accelerating development in key sectors. High on the agenda were ambitious projects in healthcare, the expansion of the state's airport, and the creation of a new smart city.
Governor Diri revealed his administration's enthusiasm for the potential partnership, saying:
"Let me on behalf of the good people of Bayelsa State, heartily welcome you to our state. We are aware you have been doing a lot in other African countries, but you have not come to Nigeria. So, we are happy to be the first state in Nigeria you are coming for partnership."
The high-level meeting was attended by a broad section of the state's leadership, including the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Ogbere, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Faith Zibs-Godwin, and other top government officials.
The State of Africa in Diaspora, which represents the interests and expertise of Africans living abroad, has been active in fostering development projects across the continent.
It is believed that the new alliance with Bayelsa signals a concerted effort to tap into the knowledge and resources of the global African diaspora.