By most accounts, there is a growing need to involve Nigerians living in overseas countries in Nigeria’s development processes.
This need, perhaps, compelled Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, to hold an interactive session in New York with a cross-section of the Nigerian community in the U.S.
The recent meeting was particularly aimed at exploring ways of addressing the perceptible challenges facing Nigerians who are resident in the U.S., while harnessing their potential to contribute to Nigeria’s development in a more pragmatic way.
However, the current moves of Federal Government are in line with the earlier efforts of the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan to elicit the participation of Nigerians in Diaspora in nation-building efforts.
“The motive behind Nigeria’s current efforts to engage the Nigerian Diaspora is borne out of the recognition of the huge capital and resource base of the Diaspora.
“We need to tap into that vast reservoir of knowledge, skills, and experiences for our development back home,’’ Dabiri-Erewa said.
The presidential aide noted that the new push by the Buhari-administration to engage the Nigerian Diaspora included interactive meetings, dialogues and conferences through the various Nigerian Diaspora organizations in different parts of the world.
She expressed the hope that the efforts would yield tangible fruits, as part of the Federal Government’s designed strategies to rebuild Nigeria and move her to an enviable position.
Dabiri-Erewa particularly encouraged Nigerians living in the U.S. to be good ambassadors of Nigeria by striving to attain excellence in their various fields of endeavour, while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth by making investments back home.
She assured them of the Buhari-administration’s determination to transform the country by guaranteeing peace and security as well as good governance and accountability, which she described as vital ingredients for national development.
Besides, the presidential aide conveyed Buhari’s resolve to involve Nigerians living abroad in Nigeria’s development efforts and called on them to support his administration’s efforts to stamp out corruption in Nigeria.
“Good things are coming for Nigerians. Our president is leading by example and he has shown his unalloyed commitment to transform our country; he has brought about transparency and accountability at all levels of the economy,’’ he said.
On the president’s war against corruption, Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians in Diaspora to support the crusade in a pragmatic way, underscoring the need for them to see the war as crucial to Nigeria’s survival.
“This rot was caused past administrations. I assure you that President Buhari will not be deterred by those who are bent on sabotaging the war against corruption. I am sure that you have been following the efforts of Mr President to rid the country of corruption.
“He is prosecuting the fight against corruption with all his might; I am sure you know that the anti-corruption war is key to Nigeria’s survival and it is aimed at freeing the country from the present economic problems,’’ she said.
Most of those who participated in the interactive meeting said that they were eager to contribute to Nigeria’s development and also return home.
They, however, cited security concerns and the lack of functional infrastructure to support their intent to come back to Nigeria and contribute to her development.
They also stressed the need for Nigerians abroad to participate in the country’s electoral processes.
Mr John Okafor, who has lived in the U.S. for over 35 years, nonetheless, voiced his disappointment over the inability of millions of Nigerians abroad to vote during elections.
“We have been talking about this for long. Countries like Cape Verde, Angola and Senegal allow Diaspora voting, thereby strengthening democracy and citizen participation,’’ he said, adding: “We need to get things right in Nigeria.’’
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa assured them that President Buhari was passionate about giving Nigerians living abroad a chance to vote during elections.
“I can tell you that the president wants to ensure that you all get a chance to vote but it cannot happen just like that.
“The issue of Diaspora voting would depend on the National Assembly and if the lawmakers decide to amend the constitution to make this possible,’’ she said.
Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed bemoaned the inability of the Federal Government to know the exact number of Nigerians living in overseas countries and solicited a “data bank’’ which would include names and professional background of Nigerians in Diaspora.
However, Dabiri-Erewa assured the meeting’s participants that the Presidency was working with the National Assembly on a new policy that would cater for the needs of Nigerians in Diaspora in a comprehensive way.
Also, Mrs Esther Charles, a nurse who has been living in the U.S. for about 20 years, called on the Federal Government to decisively deal with those who looted public funds and revamp the power sector, while improving on the country’s public service delivery.
On her part, Miss Faith Samuel expressed her willingness to return to Nigeria but claimed that she was afraid to do so because of the prevailing economic situation there.
“I will definitely like to come back home one day, but the issue again is I am afraid if I go back, I may not be able to get a job,’’ she said.
In response to Samuel’s sentiment, Dabiri-Erewa said: “Nothing ventured; nothing gained. The only thing to fear is fear itself.
“The only thing stopping you and others like you is fear. If you return home with your wealth of experience and knowledge, and if you have positive ideas to bring into the country, there is no better time to do that than now.
“The current administration is determined to ensure that all Nigerians at home and Nigerians in Diaspora join hands with Mr President in efforts to take us away from the criminally shameless situation we have found ourselves as a nation to where we really ought to be,’’ she said.
All in all, the consensus of opinion at the meeting is that all Nigerians living abroad should be good ambassadors of Nigeria in their various fields, while facilitating the country’s economic growth by making regular investments in their fatherland.
By Sadiya Hamza
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