Tinubu Promises An All-inclusive Diaspora Friendly Government
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday assured
Nigerians in the Diaspora that his administration will give special
priority to Diaspora engagement in its Renewed Hope agenda.
Speaking through the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the
opening of the 17th National Diaspora Day (NDD) event in Abuja, said
that his administration will be a Diaspora-friendly government through
flexible and easy policies for engagement with its Diaspora.
Diaspora Engagement for National Development ” as apt, he said Nigeria
is under a new political dispensation, geared towards making Nigeria
better.
He recalled that Nigerians living abroad in previous years have aided
in many ways the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country and are
passionate about the affairs of the nation.
Tinubu called on the citizens abroad to join his administration in the
rebuilding the nation to greater heights and commended the Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for all its commitment towards an enhanced
Diaspora engagement, promising adequate support to empower the
Commission.
Earlier, the Governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Zulum, represented
by his deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur congratulated Nigerians world over for
being exceptional in all diverse fields.
He averred that the Nigerians in the Diaspora has been a push for
national growth, urging that all hands must be on deck to make the
country great.
The Governor lauded Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM
for her vision and passion for Diasporas and assured that the people and
government of Borno state will accord the Commission and the government
of Nigeria the means of fostering healthy Diaspora engagement and
investments.
In his remarks, Amb. Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Amb. Samson Itegboje
applauded the Nigerians in the Diaspora for their contributions in
Nigeria.
He commended NiDCOM for all their efforts and promised to work hand in
hand with the Commission for better Diaspora relations.
Earlier in her welcome Speech, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa was very elated
at this year’s celebrations, being the first time the event will have
the Diaspora Merit Awards.
According to her, the Awards is done to recognise some outstanding
Nigerians in the Diaspora, and encourage others to be exceptional.
She canvassed for a national holiday for the NDD celebrations so as to
make Diaspora relations in Nigeria as competitive as its counterparts
in India, Israel, Ghana, Italy and many more.
The NIDCOM boss stated that in the last four years, the Commission has
tirelessly worked to harmonise relations between Nigeria and its
Diaspora who have been making the country proud of their achievements in
various fields of human endeavours.
Dabiri-Erewa, however, used the opportunity to solicit for more support
to empower the Commission by reviewing its Act as well as provision of
enabling environment to be able to harness the potentials of the
diaspora.
Highlights of the programme include exhibitions, panel discussions and
interviews and goodwill messages from many stakeholders across various
fields.
