The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s four points agenda of Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora, will be pursued unrellentedly by bringing modern solutions to address complex challenges for national development.
The Honourable Minister stated this when the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, led the Management and Staff of NiDCOM on a solidary visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Amb. Tuggar noted that Nigeria should tap into its diaspora beyond Europe and America and also focus on Africa Diasporas to utilise its global exposure, skills and competences for national development.
Commending NiDCOM for performing excellently well within the short period of four years of its establishment, Amb. Tuggar stated that some of NIDCOM’s programmes especially the National Diaspora Day is worthy of emulation while noting that the world has tuned into Nigerian heritage and there is a yarning for Nigerian culture out there, hence the need to navigate Nigeria’s soft power to advantage.
The Minister maintained that NiDCOM can synegize with the Global Citizens Help Desk domiciled in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in case of emergencies for diaspora Nigerians.
Breifing the newly appointed Minister, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated that within 4 years, NiDCOM has consistently hosted the National Diaspora Day attracting over 5000 hybrid participants anually including an inaugural Diaspora Merit Award 2023.
Other strides included:
1. Developing National Diaspora Policy
2. Diaspora Data Mapping
3. National Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS)
4. Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme
5. States Diaspora Focal Point Officers Summit
6. Diaspora Quarterly Lecture
7. Badagry Door of Return
8. The Diaspora Weekly TV Show amongst others.
The NiDCOM Boss therefore, prayed for robust collaboration with strategic ministries and agencies to upscale Diaspora remittances,(currently 22billion dollars anually) Diaspora Direct Investments, Diaspora Medical Missions and the establishment of Diaspora Continental Offices.