The Nigerians in the Diaspora has been described as a veritable force for foreign direct investment and finances.
This and many more were tabled during a courtesy call by some delegates of Link Africa Diaspora Initiative (LADI) to the Office of the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The delegation led by its Chairman, Amb. (Dr.) Adamu Aliyu; with executive members Hon. Ambrose Feese, Dr. Waheed Olagunju and Mr. Ugbadigbo Okonkwo , who are directors of the Initiative in attendance.
Aliyu said that with proper coordination of remittances, and with abundant human resources of Nigerians in the Diaspora, Nigeria would be on the path to greatness.
He said that the body, LINK, aspired to be a leading platform for connecting the African diaspora with their countries of origin and residence, by, enabling and empowering the African diaspora to transform their transnational contributions to development.
He commended the NIDCOM boss, for her brilliant strides in championing the cause of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Aliyu expressed the readiness of the Initiative to collaborate with NIDCOM in areas of data collection, increased remittances and other diaspora policy issues.
To fast track the proposed collaboration, a letter of partnership from LADI was presented to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Receiving the delegation, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, expressed her appreciation to be selected by LADI for collaboration.
She agreed that trust, transparency, integrity, professionalism, and empathy, which are the core values of LADI, should be inculcated by every organisation and citizen of Nigeria.
She praised the members for launching the Initiative and stated that the group is a timely intervention and would be very useful in implementing the objectives of the Commission.
“I will like to commend you for LADI; it is very timely. It is very useful to us as a commission; because being a commission, we are open and willing to ideas, and partners to work with. Link Africa Diaspora Initiative is a major partner we would like to work with”, she said.
The NIDCOM boss who listed the efforts of the Commission since its creation, said that the commission looks forward to working with the body, adding that the functions of LADI will add value to the NIDCOM’s mandate.
She hoped that the new relations that will be forged with LADI, will be a strong partnership.
Dabiri-Erewa stated that the commission was embarking on series of projects which included communication strategy for effective feedback from the Diasporans as well as collaboration with other international agencies, such as the European Union and the International Organisation for Migration, to propose a diaspora mapping for credible data.
She was optimistic that the 9th National Assembly will make Diaspora voting a reality, while also stressed President Buhari’s determination to tackle insecurity, corruption, build infrastructure and a sustainable economy
She told the delegates that the second edition of Nigerians Diaspora Investment summit (NDIS) would hold from Nov. 6 and 7, in Abuja with several investors already indicating interest to participate.
The Link Africa Diaspora initiative (LADI), is a group that focuses on empowering the African Diaspora through its collaboration with key African government officials, business developers, finance agencies, entrepreneurs, as well as, organisations and individuals enthusiastic in Africa’s development.
Its corporate strategies are built on three pillars: Diaspora Improvement, Diaspora Empowerment and Resource Mobilisation.
