President Bola Tinubu is expected to participate in the the 17th Annual National Diaspora Day 2023.
The programme which has been scheduled for July 24th, in Abuja is to celebrate and recognise the contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to national development.
The hybrid event will be attended physically by 500 people while 10,000 participants are to attend virtually. The theme for 2023 celebration is “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”.
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa made the disclosure while briefing the media on the forthcoming celebration.
She noted the successes recorded by Nigerians abroad, saying that over 17 million Nigerians are performing feats, internationally in the fields of Education, Medicine, Health, Sports, Media and Entertainment, Leadership and Politics, Finance, Science and ICT, Transportation, Tourism, Industry and Agribusiness. Their skills, knowledge, network and experiences are indispensable assets which can be harnessed to bolster Nigeria’s progress and development.
She said, “Nigeria, as a nation, is blessed with rich and diverse diaspora population, worldwide. These individuals; our Nigerian brothers and sisters; men and women living abroad, possess immense potential as catalyst and contributors to our national development.”
She further added, “We must accept that the Diaspora characterises a powerful force for change – not because of the financial remittances, but because they pose a lot more than the figures remitted. They are the link to our past and present, and possibly our hope for a better future for Nigeria.
“These men and women from Nigeria, therefore, must be intentionally celebrated in every possible way for their role as Ambassadors of our dear country globally; trendsetters in various walks of life but most importantly in encouraging them to invest in the sustainable growth of the country. Hence, the celebrations each year is to recognise them and mainstream them into our national development agenda.”
The 2023 Diaspora National Day celebration, she said would include a Diaspora merit award while the main programme include presidential address, celebrity interview, panel discussions and many other activities.
The representatives of Nigerians Diaspora Community from Europe, was led by Omusa Baba Onyoma
Vice Continental Chairman, NIDO Europe and Chairman NIDO UK South, Susan Waya, are already on ground.
They are to donate medical equipment to hospitals, support to different NGOs, orphanages, school for the blind, among others.
