Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Tuesday received a high-level delegation from the City of Brampton, Canada, in a strategic engagement aimed at boosting economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and community development between both regions.
The delegation, led by Mr. Richard Farward, Senior Manager, Financial Advisory Services, Corporate Budget Office of Brampton, included Mr. Maurice Imadu, Adviser and Community Engagement Specialist from the Office of the Mayor of Brampton; Mrs. Kehinde Adelaja-Okoroafor, Founder, MakeMee Elegant Foundation; and Bashorun Oladapo Adekunle Sofowora, Founder, Rudder Blade Global Company.
In his remarks, Mr. Farward commended the vibrancy and influence of the Nigerian community in Brampton, noting that the city hosts over 12,000 Nigerians, making them one of its most significant diaspora groups. He highlighted Brampton’s rapid growth as the third-largest city in Ontario and the seventh-largest in Canada, stressing its commitment to progressive governance through AI-driven innovations.
“We are eager to build a strong relationship and form meaningful partnerships where we can learn from each other, grow together, and leverage our respective strengths. It is truly an honour to be here,” Farward stated.
Also speaking, Mr. Maurice Imadu underscored Brampton’s multicultural identity, describing it as a city that warmly embraces diverse communities. He noted that the Nigerian population is currently Brampton’s fastest-growing demographic, a trend recently acknowledged by the Mayor.
The Council Manager, Mr. Abiodun Osineye, reinforced the LCDA’s interest in developing exchange programs that promote mutual learning in governance and community development.
Leader of the House, Hon. Francis Nkwo, expressed deep appreciation for the delegation’s visit, describing it as a refreshing step towards international cooperation.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, outlined the council’s achievements since the start of his administration and reiterated readiness to deepen ties with Brampton.
“As a council, and as part of the larger Nigerian community, we possess immense potential. Onigbongbo LCDA hosts the highest number of creative agencies in Nigeria, and we are leveraging this strength to drive development. We welcome every opportunity to build sustainable partnerships through exchange programs and collaborative initiatives,” he said.
