NATIONAL DIASPORA DAY 2022: FGN APPLAUDS NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA… Celebration gives credence to Diaspora constructive engagement in the National Development- Abike
Oru Leonard
President Muhammadu Buhari of NIgeria, has commended NIgerians in the disapora, noting that the Federal Government holds Nigerians in the diaspora in high esteem due to their immense contributions to national development.
PMB, who was represented by the Chief of Staff (CoS), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, stated this on yesterday at the National Diaspora Day 2022 celebration in Abuja.
He said the celebration was an opportunity to address over 17 million Nigerians in the Diaspora on the great occasion set aside to celebrate Nigeria’s best in the world.
“This celebration is in recognition of your contributions to national development and networking them to ministries, departments, agencies of government, and state diaspora focal point officers and civil society organisations in Nigeria.
“Let me reiterate that our government has held and will continue to hold our citizens in the Diaspora in the highest esteem and this is evidenced by the following.
“The passage of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission Establishment Act in 2017, the establishment and kick-off of the commission in 2019, the approval and abduction of the national Diaspora policy 2021.
“The presentation of the compendium of the ‘+ 600 Diaspora Icons at 60’, which remains a historical record of the worth of our compatriots globally,” he noted
PMB also noted that this year’s theme, ‘Diaspora Engagement in a Globally Challenging Time for national development’, is apt “considering our experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic”.
He further added that “And the ongoing Russian/Ukraine war and the general insecurity, which we are experiencing not only in Nigeria but across the globe.”
Earlier, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM, said that the celebration was important because the commission celebrated three years in May, giving credence to the constructive engagement and participation of those in the Diaspora.
She commended the cooperation of the Nigerians in Diaspora, “which is the essence of its establishment”.
“The Nigerians in the Diaspora are worthy of being celebrated because they are achievers and good ambassadors, who are putting their best in all they do.
“In spite of the challenging times, the Nigerians in Diaspora are participating in various investments that are leading to development in Nigeria.
“The realisation of these success stories of the Diaspora is adduced to the existing platform of NiDCOM, which has led to some African countries visiting Nigeria to learn how to associate and manage their Diaspora globally.
“Bearing in mind the huge potential of the Diaspora and the impact of their remittances to the economy of their country,’’ Dabiri-Erewa said.
Mrs Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, applauded the commission for organising the event in spite of challenging times and the administration of Buhari for supporting the mandate.
She stated, “Tacking these challenges will require a multi-faceted approach that will involve all well-meaning Nigerians both home and abroad.
“A critical component of this approach is our Diaspora, our people who are known to possess the resources, skills and the funds that will contribute towards reviving our falling economy and restoring security in our land”.
The National Diaspora Day 2022 which was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), with the theme: “Diaspora Engagement in a Globally Challenging Time”, is celebrated every year in the country.
