NATIONAL DIASPORA DAY 2021: FGN commends Diasporas For Resilience And Patriotism. …. As Okonjo-Iweala pledges to empower more Nigerians

Oru Leonard

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the Diasporas for making Nigeria proud through their resilience and show of patriotism to Nigeria which he described as elating.

The commendation was made through minister of state for foreign affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada while delivering a keynote address at the 2021 National Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja.

Amb Dada also gave the assurance that  the FGN will always strive to create an enabling environment and adopt policies that will ensure the safety and well being of Nigerians in diaspora.

The Minister said, “We have taken a step in this direction by the approval and adoption of the National Diaspora Policy 2021 (NDP), and its Action Plans for a more holistic approach in the Nation’s engagement with Nigerians in the Diaspora. The National Diaspora Policy 2021 aims to provide a comprehensive and supporting framework for facilitating Diaspora engagement in national development, empowering the Diaspora to contribute effectively, and maximizing the value of diaspora contributions to Nigeria’s development”.

“The Overall objective of this Policy is to enhance, mobilize and harness the potentials of Nigerians in the Diaspora for sustainable national development.
The NDP also has as its specific objectives the following;
a. To identify the sources of the potentials of Nigerians in the Diaspora that can contribute to national development;
b. To develop robust and dynamic strategies targeted at harnessing Diaspora resources towards national development;
c. To respond to the challenges and needs of the Nigerians in the Diaspora to participate in national development;”

The Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who joined via a virtual platform from Geneva acknowledged that there is high rate of unemployment and pledged to help more Nigerians especially Women in Micro and Small Enterprises. She  called for more social, health and economic support in Nigeria.

She disclosed that the WTO was negotiating an investment facilitation agreement to help countries including Nigeria create their own environment to attract investment.

The WTO DG advised Nigerians in the Diaspora to be good ambassadors by doing the right thing wherever they find themselves.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala urged Africa not to continue to depend on other countries for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the chairman NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the commission is doing its best to ensure that Diaspora voting tops the agenda of the on going constitutional review at the national assembly.

She also stressed the importance of peace and collaboration in national development.

“It is well known that development can only thrive in a peaceful environment hence the need for the total collaboration and maximum cooperation of all Nigerians in the diaspora to share their expertise in the use of technology and their global exposure to achieve peace and development in Nigeria. As we are aware Nigeria is home, where we have families, investments, etc. The need therefore to share ideas and techniques that will assist the country in their Post Covid19 recovery process is very important as a peaceful environment is the best to deliver national development”.

The event included a panel discussion by NIDO representatives from all over the world who called for peace and security as the way to drive development among other things.

The event was made colorful by traditional dance performances by the national cultural troupe and a talented saxophonist to whose performance the NiDCOM chairman and other guests danced.

High point of the event was the unveiling and presentation of the national diaspora policy which was approved and adopted by FEC in February 2021.

The theme of this years national diaspora day was: Diaspora Integration for National Peace and Development.

The National Diaspora day is marked in Nigeria on the 25th of July every year.