PROTOCOLS
1.0
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I am indeed delighted to give the
opening remarks at this auspicious hybrid event, the fifth edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit. The summit which was inaugurated in the year 2018,with the intent of creating a veritable platform for the Diaspora to invest in local businesses, has over the years recorded some measure of success in attracting investments into the country. It is therefore not a surprise that this Summit has continuously enjoyed the deserved attendance of esteemed personalities like you.
2.0
Let me seize this opportunity with utmost humility and boundless pleasure to appreciate the Special Guest for this event, the Vice President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN GCON, for his continuous and unwavering support towards the Summit ever since its inception.
We at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit Initiative (NDSI) are very grateful for your commitment to always participate at the Summit. It goes to show that this administration recognizes the enormous potentials of the Diaspora to Nigeria’s development and is very resolute on tapping these potentials. We are optimistic that this support will continue in the years ahead, as we pursue our mandate with renewed zeal and focus.
3.0
In the same vein, I will like to recognize the presence of our other Guests of
Honour, commending the role and relevance of their hard work towards ensuring the development of the Nation’s economy.
4.0
At this junction, I will like to commend the Nigerians in Diaspora for their
enormous contributions to the development of the nation, most especially during
5.0
In the quest of the Federal Government to go far in repositioning the economy, there is a need to partner with the Diaspora in achieving these goals.
This is why the Summit with this year’s theme being Optimizing Investment
Opportunities for National Development is very apt because it creates that
avenue and platform of partnership between the Government and the Diaspora in attracting investment into local business and thus enhancing Foreign Direct Investment in the country.
6.0
The Summit, ladies and gentlemen, since its inception in 2018, has been
living up to its expectations of attracting Diaspora investment into local businesses in Nigeria, with bounteous success stories. Time won’t permit to speak on them,but we have at this Summit, a major focus on Ondo State and the numerous investment opportunities it has to offer, the Federal Mortgage Bank’s National Housing Fund (NHF) Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, which is going to be flagged off to a global audience soon after this event, both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom.
There is also the Eco Bank’s Rapid Transfer Application, which is meant
to ease remittances from the Diaspora Community to Nigeria and is available on our website for people to access and have cheaper and faster means of
remittances to the Country.
7.0
Beyond this, NDIS has over the years been expanding its participants’
network, showcasing their products and services to target audience such as the
Diaspora investors, sponsors and government actors. Besides, it has been
providing pro bono coaching and mentoring services to pitchers on how best to sell their business and attract investment. This goes to show that the Summit is not just keen on attracting foreign Direct Investment but ensures that the capacities of local businesses, most especially those that participate in the Summit, are significantly enhanced.
8.0
Before I conclude, I need to commend Dr. Chris Brooks, the Co-Founder
and Managing partner of the Brown Venture Group (who is partly Nigerian) and has graced this occasion by coming all the way from the United States of
(NiDCOM)and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), I once again
welcome you all to this Summit and encourage you to have a mutually
productive business engagement.
10.0
America, to add significant value to this event, as I am sure you will find out when he takes the stage. On this note, I will like to encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora and other Diaspora organizations to emulate the path of such personalities as Dr.Brooks who has remembered to return home and contribute his vast achievements to our dear country. As Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora, we should always be conscious of the fact that no one can develop.
Nigeria like Nigerians.
9.0
Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
(NiDCOM) and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), I once again
welcome you all to this Summit and encourage you to have a mutually
productive business engagement.
10.0 Thank you.
