Nigerians In the Diaspora making positive waves-Dabiri Erewa

Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora said that the Diaspora Nigerians are making positive waves all over the world because Diaspora has become a global force to reckon with.


In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that Dabiri-Erewa made the assertion in a keynote speech in Abuja at a one-day Diaspora Innovation Institute and Disruptive Africa Expo and launching of Diaspora membership ID card in collaboration with Centre for Management Development (CMD).

 ``Nigerians abroad constitute a large pool of skilled, experienced and well-trained human capital which could provide the critical mass needed to drive the country’s growth’’, She added.

 Dabiri-Erewa said with 26 countries of the world having full ministries or commissions on Diaspora, Nigeria cannot be alienated but to key into world Diaspora development.

 ``With official $21 billion remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora yearly,  President Muhammadu Buhari's policies on Diaspora seek to reinforce government’s commitment to this increasingly important demographic with a view to engaging them for national development.

``As part of the effort to provide an institutional framework for furthering the involvement of the Diaspora in the affairs of the country, the current Administration created the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, the first of its kind’’, she said.

Dabii-Erewa said that plans are underway for a holistic Diaspora Policy, adding that the relationship between government and its Diaspora must be symbiotic in nature.

 `` The Nigerian Government therefore recognises that while collaborating with its Diaspora for the attainment of national developmental goals, it is imperative that the Diaspora benefits from those engagements.

 She also told the gathering on President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s determination to tackle corruption, insecurity and transform Nigeria from a monolithic economy.

``it is my firm belief that the Diaspora will be empowered to create Disruptive Sectors that would encourage entrepreneurs among their community to invest in Nigeria and also promote national development.’’, she said.

Earlier, the convener and Chief Executive Officer of Diaspora Innovation Institute, Prince Akinwale Ojomo said the aim of the initiative was to provide a link and platform for the returning Nigerian Diasporas to settle down in the country.

Dr Kabir Kabo Usman, Director-General, Centre for Management Development (CMD), Dr Chamberlain Peterside, Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi and other Diaspora stakeholders stressed the importance of symbiotic relationship between Diaspora and Nigeria.