DIASPORA DAY 2022: Robust engagement with the Diaspora crucial to Nigeria’s development- Dr Abike Calls for Diasporas to identify with the NiDCOM programs.
Oru Leonard
25th July of every year is set aside to celebrate the national Diaspora day. All is set to mark this year’s National Diaspora Day Celebrations themed: “Diaspora Engagement in Global Challenges Times for National Development.”
The Chairman and CEO of Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while addressing a world press conference on Tuesday, has said that a robust engagement with the diaspora is crucial to Nigeria’s development and growth as no nation can make progress without its Diaspora.
She also disclosed that this year’s diaspora day will facilitate engagements among the Diasporas with the ministries, departments and agencies of government.
Hon Dabiri-Erewa, appealed for more campaigns to get Diaspora voting through in Nigeria as several African countries have successfully engaged in Diaspora voting. Adding that voting right, home remittances, investment and all round engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora and those at home will surely turn around the country’s economic fortunes.
On the theme of the celebration, “Diaspora Engagement in Global Challenging Times for National development ”, she said it is an elixir to all the past and recent challenges which have faced the Diaspora; from COVID-19 to Ukraine/Russia crisis, amongst others.
Speaking, the President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation UK South, Mrs Susan Waya agreed that Diaspora voting bill should be passed given the humongous amount of dollars sent to the country as remittances.
Mrs. Waya said that in 2018 alone, home remittances from Nigerians in London was recorded at $2.8 billion.
She lauded Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her efforts and vision for Nigerians in the Diaspora and wish her more achievements in the coming years.
Dr Abike disclosed that the 2022 National Diaspora Day will be a hybrid event that looks at celebrating Nigerians in the Diaspora, networking and facilitating engagement between the Diaspora and public office, government, private and corporate organisations, as well as, other major stakeholders.
“This year’s celebration will have the Presidential address to Nigerians in the Diaspora, thematic discussions, goodwill and solidarity messages, showcase of some diaspora projects, talks from diaspora role models, and a special segment, titled: “Home strings”, targeted at second and third generations Diaspora, as part of the line up of activities”, she further revealed.
