Dabiri-Erewa: states to play vital role for Nigeria to harness diaspora resources

 Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ALL the 36 states of the federation have roles to play for Nigeria to derive maximum benefits from the resources it gets from the Diaspora, it was learnt on Wednesday.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this yesterday in Abuja.

She spoke at the inaugural summit of states’ Diaspora focal point officers.

The states, she said, should play the role of the engine room to enable the country harness the rich, vital and critical resources from the Diaspora for nation-building.

She describes states as major stakeholders in the execution and benefits of Diaspora resources.

“It is also right to say that the states are the major stakeholders in terms of execution and benefits.

“Let me, therefore, implore all of you to maximise your being here today and listen attentively. Be conscious of the purpose of your being here: learn all that you need to learn; ask all the questions you need to ask; equip yourself to the maximum; get ready to deliver for your states.

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“You should know that we are partners with a great mission. Let’s synergise, collaborate and do the needful to attract desired businesses and projects that abound out there,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

Outlining some of the achievements of the commission, which came into being in June 2019 with the signing of its establishment Act, the NiDCOM chief said the commission, in collaboration with the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), organised two investment summits in which Nigerians at home and abroad participated.

She said the commission had also instituted the July 25 of every year as Diaspora Day as well as facilitated an annual festival of the Diaspora known as the “Door of Return”.

The third edition took place in Badagry in 2019.

The NiDCOM chairman also said states, like Ekiti and Imo, had organised their versions of Diaspora-related events.

“Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission is on a massive advocacy to get the Diaspora to appreciate the critical role they can play in nation-building.”