The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) celebrated Nigerians in the Diaspora for their contributions to the socio-economic growth of the country.
Chairman of NiDCOM Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the commission was celebrating Diaspora excellence at the National Diaspora Day (NDD) 2023 and Diaspora Merit Award held in Abuja on Wednesday night.
The day, which was marked on Tuesday and Wednesday, had as its theme: “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”.
“This week we are celebrating diaspora excellence. The diaspora that was celebrated is about what they are doing back home; it is not enough that you have excelled over there, what are you doing back home?
“So, you can see that all of them are contributing one way or the other to the development of the growth of your country. Why do you give awards because it would encourage you to work harder and contribute more and we are so proud.”
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Dabiri-Erewa said the process of selection was tough as there were some criteria.
The chairman also hoped the awards would encourage other Nigerians in the Diaspora to do more for their country.
“People were asked to nominate and we had a team of people who screened all the nominations and came up with a final list.
“I believe that subsequently, the categories may have to increase but this is just the beginning it was thorough, it was online for six months and went through screening and today we came up with a final list.”
More so, she said the Diaspora would be encouraged to invest in philanthropy, capacity building, science, education, and agriculture, among other sectors of investments.
She also said she would encourage the Federal Government to consider the citizens living in the Diaspora for national honours.
“For those that have even been able to get this award, we are going to appeal (to the government) and say that when you do the national, let us have a Diaspora category for these Nigerians that are doing great things abroad and also back home.
“You heard the President himself tell us yesterday that it is going to be a very Diaspora-friendly administration and they will do a lot to encourage Diaspora investment.”
Furthermore, Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM encouraged ministries, departments, and agencies to have a Diaspora desk to facilitate the ease of doing business.
She also called on the Diaspora groups to have a united front and work together for the growth and progress of Nigeria.
Recipients of the awards were in different categories from education, finances and economics, politics, information and communication technology, leadership development, medicine/ healthcare, automobile, philanthropy, and sports.