All is now set for the celebration of 2022 16th Edition of the Nigerian National Diaspora Day celebration 2022,and 4th to be hosted by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)
Addressing journalists at the press conference today in Abuja,the Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM,Hon.(Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the 2022 National Diaspora Day will be a hybrid event and will be hosted both physically and virtually, via zoom,with an incident room at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa in her speech stated that;
“Globally, it is believed especially by Development Experts and Diaspora Enthusiasts that no nation in the world will grow without its Diaspora adding that the Diaspora have always been a blessing to nations. Therefore, no nation has grown without collaboration and engagement with its Diaspora citizens. The Federal Government of Nigeria having recognized this dedicated a Special Day to celebrate her Diaspora. It is a fact that the Nigerian Diaspora have the global exposure, resources, competences and skills as well as the passion and linkages to being a catalyst for National Development.
“it is of a fact that in the Unites States alone, the Nigerians in Diaspora Community have been adjudged the most intelligent and educated; in the United Kingdom, the smartest family, is the Nigerian.
“A former US President Mr. Barack Obama once remarked that “if you remove the Nigerian Physicians, the US health system will collapse “. It will interest you to note that there are over Five thousand Nigerian Physicians in the United States. That’s why we need to engage with them and celebrate them. They are our frontline Ambassadors and Best Development Partners.
“In 2021, in spite of the ravaging COVID-19 Pandemic, Nigeria topped the list of Diaspora Home Remittance Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with $20.00 bn. Our Diaspora therefore cannot be ignored when we consider our economic development.
” It is therefore a networking, advocacy and mobilization event to:
i) Celebrate the achievements of the over seventeen (17) million Nigerians in the Diaspora who contribute to national development.
ii) Facilitate engagements among Diaspora with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, State Diaspora Focal point Officers (SDFPOs), the Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters (SCDM) and other Private and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participating in the implementation of a practical framework for the effective engagement of the Doaspora for national development.
The theme of the 2022 Nigerian National Diaspora day Celebrations is: “DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN GLOBAL CHALLENGING TIMES FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT”.
According to Dabiri-Erewa,the theme is predicted as an elixir to make the best use of the difficult times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia War, national insecurity among others, to leveraging on Nigerians in the Diaspora for National Development and growth.
“The 2022 Nigerian National Diaspora Day Celebrations has the following structure and scope:
i) An Opening Ceremony with a Special Address by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
ii) Discussion of the theme “DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN GLOBAL CHALLENGING TIMES FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT”.
iii) Goodwill messages from International Organisations/Partners dealing with Diaspora matters.
iv) Solidarity messages by prominent Nigerians in the Diaspora.
v) Presentations on special Diaspora projects by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
vi) Presentations on Investment projects by members of the Diaspora community in Nigeria.
vii) Presentations by Diaspora Role Models.
viii) Home Strings programme for the 2nd and 3rd generation of Nigerians in the Diaspora” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
NiDCOM said attendees at the hybrid event will include:
i) All Nigerians in the Diaspora who could link up to the event via zoom or access same on our You-tube handle.
ii) Diaspora Desk Officers from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
iii) The Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters (SCDM) as prescribed by the National Migration Policy 2015.
iv) State Diaspora Focal Point Officers (SDFPOs)
v) Private and Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs)
vi) Other members of society interested in Diaspora matters.
NiDCOM Boss said Nigerian Diaspora remained a component and integral part of NiDCOM’S mandate for accelerated National Development and Growth.
In attendance at the Press conference were; members of Nigerian In Diaspora Organization,NIDO London led by the Chairman, Sarah Waya, Zumunta Association USA Inc, and other relevant stakeholders.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has designated July 25, every year as the Nigerian National Diaspora Day,as prescribed in the National Diaspora Policy 2022, approved and adopted by the Federal Executive Council.
