The chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has reiterated the need for the country to regularly engage with her citizens in the diaspora towards achieving national development.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that Nigerians in other countries across the world have a role to play in adding their voices and contributing towards the socio-economic development in major sectors of the nation’s economy.
The NiDCOM CEO stated these while delivering the 12th convocation lecture of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, with the theme, ‘ Diaspora Engagements for National Development’.
The convocation lecturer added that the commission since its creation in 2017 has initiated programs towards identifying and mobilising citizens of the country in diaspora for the overall development of the country.
According to her, many citizens of the country are excelling in their various fields and endeavours in Europe, and other continents, noting that they should be willing to support the government towards achieving sustainable development and the grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Acknowledging the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in championing a novel approach to the country’s foreign policy agenda, Dabiri-Erewa said that the president’s strategy emphasized leveraging the Nigerian diaspora in enhancing the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and their host countries.
She commended the founder of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN for his commitment to the advancement of education and intellectual industries in the country, saying that the university has in no small measures added positive impacts to the country and the world.
Dabiri-Erewa said, ” Let me make a clarion call for Nigerians in the diaspora to join hands with the Commission either as individuals or as groups through any of our numerous programmes to complement governments’ efforts in attaining sustainable development. It would not be easy but we would go far and fast if we all unite with a single purpose to develop Nigeria.
“I have given us a summary of the meaning of the word diaspora and its interpretation in the Nigerian context and I hope we are more informed on the importance of Diaspora engagements for national development. Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora must join hands to develop Nigeria, as no foreigner will do this for us. The global exposure of Nigerians in the diaspora can be leveraged as a catalyst for national development. This is achievable and NIDCOM is set up to actualize this.”
While commending ABUAD for its numerous partnerships with diaspora institutions especially on the staff and students exchange programme, said the efforts have entrenched researches and also promoting knowledge exchange.
“Not surprising, the Afe Babalola University has already captured this vision by establishing a linkage with the King’s College London, United Kingdom which will allow ABUAD to liaise with other universities in the world and also enable ABUAD students access these universities from their campus. This is indeed appreciable,” she said.
The former member of the House of Representatives urged the university to establish a Diaspora Center for Excellence, ” which can offer courses in diaspora related issues and also serve as a research center.”
Speaking, Afe Babalola commended Dabiri-Erewa for delivering what he called a well researched and detailed lecture towards achieving a sustainable development for the country with support from Nigerians the diaspora.
The revered legal icon explained that the country is blessed with both human and natural resources, urging the people especially the youths to shun the idea of leaving the country in search of greener pasture abroad.
He maintained that the university in the last fifteen years of its creation has impacted on the nation’s education and health sectors, which has made local and international organizations to rate ABUAD as the best in Nigeria and the world.
“Let me say that Africans are born to lead the world and I don’t know what is happening to us here. We have built a university that has been rated first in the world and a hospital adjudged the best in Africa in less than 15 years. My students are the best and next to make this country great,” the nonagenarian said.
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