MARYLAND, UNITED STATES — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has met with members of the Ebira community in Maryland, United States, as part of efforts to strengthen dialogue with Nigerians in the diaspora and to discuss the development of Kogi State.
The meeting, convened under the auspices of the Ebira First Forum and coordinated by Bashir Abubakar, was an opportunity to discuss representation, leadership, and development with members of the community. The senator said the engagement was part of her commitment to inclusive representation and to building a network of diaspora support for the development of Kogi Central and Kogi State.
“I am here to engage with our people in the diaspora, to listen to their concerns, and to share our vision for the development of Kogi Central. The Ebira community in the United States is an important part of our family, and their contributions to our development cannot be overstated,” Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.
During the meeting, the senator provided an update on her legislative activities and the progress made in addressing key issues affecting Kogi Central, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. She said she had sponsored and co-sponsored several bills aimed at improving the lives of her constituents and had also facilitated federal projects in the district.
“I have been working tirelessly to ensure that Kogi Central gets its fair share of federal projects and programmes. We have made progress in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, but there is still much more to be done. I am committed to doing everything within my power to improve the lives of our people,” she said.
The senator also spoke about the importance of diaspora engagement in national development, noting that Nigerians abroad have valuable skills, resources, and networks that can be harnessed for the development of their communities. She urged members of the Ebira community to remain connected to their roots and to contribute to the development of Kogi State.
“Our people in the diaspora have a critical role to play in the development of our state. You have the skills, the resources, and the networks that can help us to accelerate development. I urge you to remain connected to home and to support our efforts to build a better Kogi State,” she said.
Members of the Ebira community who attended the meeting expressed their appreciation to the senator for the engagement and for her efforts to represent them effectively. They raised concerns about various issues, including the need for better infrastructure, improved educational opportunities, and greater economic empowerment in Kogi Central.
“We are proud of what Senator Natasha is doing. She has been a strong voice for our people and has shown that she is committed to our development. We will continue to support her,” said one community leader.
The senator also used the occasion to call for unity among the people of Kogi Central, irrespective of political affiliation. She said unity was essential for the development of the district and urged stakeholders to put aside their differences and work together for the common good.
“We cannot achieve meaningful development without unity. I urge all our people, regardless of political affiliation, to come together and work for the progress of Kogi Central. We have a common destiny, and we must work together to achieve it,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also met with other Nigerian professionals and organisations during her visit to the United States, where she discussed opportunities for collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare, and technology. She said her engagement with the diaspora would continue, noting that the input and support of Nigerians abroad were vital to the development of their communities at home.
The meeting is the latest in a series of diaspora engagements by the senator, who has been actively reaching out to Nigerians abroad to build partnerships and to promote the development of Kogi Central. For now, her message to the Ebira community in the United States is clear: they are an integral part of the development agenda, and their support is essential to building a better Kogi State.
