ABUJA: AUGUST 29, 2023.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s four point agenda of: Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora, will be pursued without relenting, by bringing modern solutions to address complex challenges for national development.
The Minister stated this when the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), 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 African 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 are worthy of emulation while noting that the world has tuned into Nigerian heritage and there is a yearning for the nation’s culture out there, hence the need to navigate the country’s soft power to advantage.
The Minister maintained that NiDCOM can synergize with the Global Citizens Help Desk domiciled in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs incase of emergencies for diaspora Nigerians.
Briefing the newly appointed Minister, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa stated that within four years, NiDCOM has consistently hosted the National Diaspora Day attracting over 5000 hybrid participants annually including an inaugural Diaspora Merit Award this year, 2023.
Other strides include: Developing National Diaspora Policy, Diaspora Data Mapping, National Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme and States Diaspora Focal Point Officers Summit, Diaspora Quarterly Lecture, Badagry Door of Return and 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 annually), Diaspora Direct Investments, Diaspora Medical Missions and the establishment of Diaspora Continental Offices.
