All is set to mark this year’s National Diaspora Day Celebrations with
the theme: “Diaspora Engagement in Global Challenges Times for National
Development.”
Hon (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission, (NiDCOM), stated this at a press conference in Abuja as part
of activities ahead of July 25, 2022, National Diaspora Day
celebrations.
She stated further that a robust engagement with the diaspora is crucial
to Nigeria’s development and growth as no nation can make progress
without its Diaspora.
She added that voting right, home remittances, investment and all round
engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora and those at home will surely
turn around the country’s economic fortunes.
Hon Dabiri-Erewa, pushed further for more campaigns to get Diaspora
voting through in Nigeria as several African countries have successfully
engaged in Diaspora voting.
On the theme of the celebration, “Diaspora Engagement in Global
Challenging Times for National development”, she said it is an elixir
to all the past and recent challenges which have faced the Diaspora;
from COVID-19 to Ukraine/Russia crisis, amongst others.
In the same vein, the President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization UK
South, Mrs Susan Waya agreed that Diaspora voting bill should be passed
given the humongous amount of dollars sent to the country as
remittances.
Mrs. Waya said that in 2018 alone, home remittances from Nigerians in
London was recorded at $2.8 billion.
She lauded Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her efforts and vision for
Nigerians in the Diaspora and wish her more achievements in the coming
years.
This year’s celebration will have the Presidential address to Nigerians
in the Diaspora, thematic discussions, goodwill and solidarity
messages, showcase of some diaspora projects, talks from diaspora role
models, and a special segment, titled: “Home strings”, targeted at
second and third generations Diaspora, as part of the lineup of
activities.
