AfDB President, Innoson Task Nigerians In Diaspora On National Development

by AnaedoOnline
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President of the African Development Bank Dr Akinwumi Adesina and Mr Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Group amongst other notable Nigerians have called for a conducive environment and formal structures back home to leverage the capitals, influence and connections of the Nigerian Diaspora.

The advice came at the just concluded 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Americas (NIDOA) with the theme, “Harnessing Diaspora Capital for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, Amb. Adeyinka Asekun also led his voice urging Nigerians in Diaspora to key into efforts by the Federal Government to harness their resources directly for national development.

According to them, Nigeria’s emigrant communities are critical national assets mostly needed now to drive their country’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.

However, they called for a conducive environment and formal structures back home to leverage the capitals, influence and connections of the Nigerian Diaspora.

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In a pre-recorded video message, Adesina highlighted the strong financial power of Nigerians abroad as shown in their remittances averaging $22 billion (N8 trillion) annually.

“Think of it. What this means is that Nigeria’s value added Diaspora is a significant net gain rather than a brain drain. “The Diaspora, however, is more than money of course.

The Diaspora represents knowledge, strategic influence and networks. “In a world of hyper change, Nigeria needs its best and brightest to tackle the most challenging issues of our time, and to ensure its rightful place in the League of Nations.

“Together, let us inspire a greater Nigeria, a developed, prosperous and dynamic country bursting with energy and hope,’’ he said.

The AfDB president lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s foresight in setting up the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to properly harness their “brains, innovation and entrepreneurial capacities’’.

He called for the right policy and political engagement to attract Nigerians abroad and properly tap their huge capitals for national development.

In a keynote address, Innoson noted that the huge remittances of the Diaspora to Nigeria is an indication that they are interested in the wellbeing of their fatherland.

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“But remittances are not enough. We need them back in the country. We need strength from abroad to power our economy.

“We need Diaspora human capital to come back and contribute to our GDP. This is the way forward to achieve our greatness.

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