The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerians abroad to register on the NIDCOM’s portal for proper identification in case of emergency.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call at a press conference to brief journalists on National Diaspora Day, themed: “Consolidating the Diaspora engagement on national development.”
Dabiri-Erewa explained that this is necessary to avoid the Sudan experience where many Nigerian students were not captured for evacuation at the outbreak of conflict in Sudan
She said the official figure of Nigerians in Sudan before the outbreak of hostility was much less than the actual figure as many of the students did not identify with the Nigeria Embassy.
“The importance of data, we all know that the data of diaspora is about 10 million Nigerians in Diaspora.”
“One of the things I will like us to work on is the issue of data. We have set up a portal for data capturing. It’s growing gradually and we want you to be more involved in getting Nigerians in diaspora to let us know where they are.
“Because at the end of the day, we lose nothing. It is when there is crisis that we know that this data is important.”
“And for parents in particular, let your children, going to school in particular, go on that data portal, tell us where they are and what they are doing.
“We know what happened in Sudan when there was war. When we said they were three million, people said she doesn’t know what she is talking about. They were even much more than that in Sudan. So let’s keep stressing the issue of data.”
On National Diaspora Day Celebration, Dabiri-Erewa explained that the annual event in Nigeria is to celebrate and recognise the contributions of Nigerians in the Diasporal towards national development adding that the 2023 edition which the 17th is scheduled for 25th and 26th July.
She also disclosed that about 10,000 Diasporans are expected to participate virtually while arrangement have been made for not more than 500 physical participants.
The 2023 Diaspora National Day celebration, she said would include a Diaspora merit award while the main programme include presidential address, celebrity interview, panel discussions and many other activities.
“Over 17 million Nigerians are performing feats, internationally in the fields of Education, Medicine, Health, Sports, Media & Entertainment, Leadership & Politics, Finance, Science & ICT, Transportation, Tourism, Industry and Agribusiness.”
“Their skills, knowledge, network and experiences are indispensable assets which can be harnessed to bolster Nigeria’s progress and development.”
“We must accept that the Diaspora characterises a powerful force for change- not because of the financial remittances, but because they pose a lot more than the figures remitted.”
“They are the link to our past and present, and possibly our hope for a better future for Nigeria,” she added.
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