Nigerians in diaspora have been described as an indispensable entity in the overall development of the nation.
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated this in Abuja, ahead of the 2022 National Diaspora Day.
According to her, Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the diaspora owing to its enormous contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
She stated that “the Commission is doing everything possible to engage more diasporas so that they can share their expertise and the experiences garnered from their host countries with people at home.”
The Chairman further stated out that Diaspora Voting is possible, hence the need for the Media to make it a topic for discussion and ensure that it comes to pass.
She said; “We are helpless, so we have to continue to beg, lobby, plead for the parliament to see the need for diaspora e-voting and also all of you, the Media to make it a topic for discussion.
“It’s something that should happen, it’s something that has to happen, but the argument is that we haven’t perfected e-voting locally so why do we want to start diaspora e-voting?
“My argument is that if we keep waiting for perfection, nothing will happen and INEC is ready,” Dabiri-Erewa explained.
Adding her voice to the issue of diaspora e-voting, the President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO UK South, Mrs Susan Waya said that the Organisation had sent over 200 mails to the National Assembly asking for the right to e-voting.
Mrs Waya argued that Diaspora voting bill should be passed given the enormous contribution of the diaspora to the country.
She said; “Two months ago, we have our diaspora voting platform and we sent about 230 letters to the National Assembly regarding the issue.”
Mrs. Waya said that in 2018 alone, home remittances from Nigerians in London was recorded at $2.8 billion which equals 1% of the country’s GDP.
She said; “Looking at the statistics and other indicators available, Nigerians in Diaspora have great potentials in terms of resources and expertise in various fields to contribute positively to the development of their fatherland.”
Mrs Waya further called on the Nigeria government to rise to the challenge of insecurity that has bedevilled the country.
“This is because no development can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and threat to the sanctity of lives and property of citizens.
“Closely related are the problems of corruption, lack of infrastructure, raising religious intolerance, perceived domination or marginalisation of some ethnic groups by others. There’s no doubt that combination of these factors constitute serious threat to the aspirations of our people at home and abroad towards the desired unity for nation building.” Waya explained.
The theme for the 2022 National Diaspora Day is “Diaspora Engagement in Global Challenges Times for National Development.”
Each year, National Diaspora Day is celebrated by Nigerians globally on July 25.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
