Stella Dimoko Korkus.com: President Buhari Urges Nigerians In Diaspora To Play Active Roles In Economic Recovery As Remittances Hit $25BN

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Sunday, July 26, 2020

President Buhari Urges Nigerians In Diaspora To Play Active Roles In Economic Recovery As Remittances Hit $25BN

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to actively participate in the country's Post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.







In a video message to commemorate this year’s Diaspora Day, observed on July 25 of every year, President Buhari appealed to his compatriots, whose home remittances exceeded $25 billion annually in three years, not to abandon their fatherland in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.


''Over the past three years, Nigerians in the diaspora have brought in over $25 billion annually as home remittances to the Nigerian economy through official and non-formal channels. 

''This is about 6.0% of our annual GDP and upwards of 80% of our annual budget. This has impacted on livelihoods of Nigerians in terms of education, health, housing and estate development, industry, trade and investments, agriculture and technology/skills transfer. 

''In terms of diaspora home remittances, Nigeria is rated as number one in sub-Saharan Africa and this is still growing especially with the advocacy and mobilization programmes of the newly established Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).



''Nigerians in Diaspora are also known to be engaged in skill transfer in ICT and industry. They are also active in our universities as lecturers, and in carrying out medical missions.

''It is, therefore, my sincere hope that even with the depressed economy under stress in the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerians in the Diaspora will rise up to the occasion of not abandoning their country of origin, but be active in our Post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts,'' he said.


President Buhari told participants from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania at the webinar event that his three-point agenda for the Nigerians in Diaspora remains the same and particularly relevant on the auspicious occasion.
Reiterating the agenda, the Nigerian leader said:
''You are our Ambassadors-at-large by your behaviour and character in your host countries.

''Whatever legitimate endeavour you choose, you must excel and be the best.
''Do not forget home, Nigeria, by giving back and engaging in its development.''
The President also used the occasion to commend the support and contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, recounting fond memories of his several interactions with them at town hall meetings.


While congratulating them on this year’s celebration, President Buhari said the Federal Government set aside July 25 of every year to celebrate Nigerians in Diaspora estimated to be over 17 million.


According to him, "the Day is also to facilitate networking among the Diaspora with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Government, the Diaspora State Focal Point Officers and other private and Civil Society Organization participants in the implementation of a practical framework for the effective engagement of the Diaspora for national development." 


Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration,“Leveraging Diaspora Resources for National Development in a COVID-19 Era”, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the focus of the 2020 celebration is indicative of the mandate of NiDCOM as well as what the agency has accomplished since its creation.


"Since its establishment a year ago, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has a lot to celebrate. This is because the passion and consistency that saw to the establishment of the commission have been maintained and sustained.
"The activities we have executed, those ongoing, and the ones that are yet to take off are all definitive, of the theme. Our interaction today is expected to mobilize you to key into some of the programmes and chart improved or better ways on how to achieve them,'' she said.


On Diaspora voting, Dabiri-Erewa announced that the Commission was working with the National Assembly to make it a reality.
Among other initiatives, she said NiDCOM is partnering with the OPS WASH – the umbrella body for private engagement to support the declaration to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2024.



"We plan to mobilize millions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to fund a toilet per household. A global project will soon be launched and we look forward to all Nigerians in the Diaspora to participate in this most needed project," she said.
In his remarks, the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada said the Ministry would continue to stress the importance of engaging with Nigerians in the Diaspora at the state, national and international levels in advocating the Diaspora potentials in the post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.



The Minister thanked members of the Diaspora who have donated to the COVID-19 response, especially those that were channeled to the grassroots through the states.

29 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I have decided not to send any money home this year or ever again through remittance.
      I will be bringing the rest of my family to the country where I live. I would rather help my family with my hard earned money than see it squandered in one way or the other by corrupt Nigerian politicians. My money, my choice.

      Delete
    2. What about the monies he has looted?

      Delete
    3. And you think your children anon will not suffer it .there's nothing wrong with helping your country.not everything is corruption

      Delete
    4. My children were born, raised and work in Diaspora, they have no plans in living in Nigeria. I think 30 years of helping and not seeing any improvement and development is enough. I now want to concentrate on myself, my immediate family and our future.

      Delete
    5. Isa Funtua's loot should be recovered o.

      Delete
    6. Anon 12.37 👍👍👍👍👍

      Delete
  2. You don't need those in the diaspora. Nigeria is very rich and blessed but greed and corruption wlll continue to set the country back.

    We need an active president who will talk the talk and walk the walk. Enough already.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So you political thieves will embezzle public funds and start calling upon those living in diaspora to help out.. smh.. #ThereWasAcountry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you imagine the insolence!

      Delete
    2. McKenna you said it all. Nigerian leaders are always playing to the gallery.
      #ThereWasAcountry

      Delete
    3. I wan relocate, how can I go about, money is not the problem. Pls help. Na Australia I wan go...

      Delete
  4. I thought they said those in diaspora are stingy and don't like to spend when they come to Nigeria, now they want their money to keep flowing into a corrupt country and system.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, the president must be in lala land.

      Delete
  5. You don't have to find a problem with everything the president says ,help if you want to or don't.if everybody has the mindset that most of you have we will not move forward.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What has Nigerian given to them that will make them not to forget Nigeria.?
    Such a parasitic shameless insensitive government..
    Chizzy j

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very parasitic, clueless, , direction less, nuisance, low intelligence, kleptomaniac and nepotistic ridden government

      Delete
    2. Very parasitic, clueless, , direction less, nuisance, low intelligence, kleptomaniac and nepotistic ridden government

      Delete
  7. I don't even bother to read. Metchweeeeeee

    ReplyDelete
  8. But Nigerian politicians are richer than most people in diaspora Na.

    ReplyDelete
  9. They should the money so it can be looted... shameless govt. The one you have you will loot and waste and you want people to give you their hard earned money sent it can be shared by you and your cronies..

    ReplyDelete

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