The Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has warned Nigerians in the diaspora to prioritise investment in their home country, saying that the new policies of United States President Donald Trump might get them into the next flight to Lagos or Abuja.
Also, the Commission lauded Nigerians in different countries for remitting over $90billion in the last five years.
Engr. Sule Yakubu, a top official of NiDCOM spoke on behalf of Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in Bauchi on Monday at a one-day sensitisation and advocacy programme for promoting emigrant investment potential in NorthEast Nigeria.
“You cannot talk about people in the diaspora without reminding them that they did not just find themselves in the diaspora by accident. They have a root, they have a country of origin, and they are there as a country of destination,” he said.
“You will never be a first-class citizen in your country of destination even if you stay there for a hundred years. It is here (Nigeria) that they are first-class citizens. So we have to tell them this message, that home is home. And to develop Nigeria, we need both those at home and those in the diaspora.
“Those in the diaspora have five things that we need to catalyze our development in Nigeria. First, they have resources. Don’t kid yourself, one dollar is equivalent to N1,700 and by the time you have $500, if you come back here, you are already earning a million. So we need their resources. They have talent, they have skills, they have global exposure, and they also have global networks.”
“When you are with President Trump, you better be careful. Because you could be on the next plane to Lagos or Abuja. So we need to remind them. We need to tell them that home is home. So please, relax, speak, and pass the message.”
Yakubu said that sensitisation was critical to tap the treasure of human, material, mineral, agricultural, and every other type of resource for development.
Also, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said that he had appointed a Diaspora Focal Point Officer to respond to increasing needs for investments towards the growth and sustainable development of Bauchi State.
“As a government, we acknowledge the importance of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, as a gateway to emigrant ideas, knowledge, experience, and expertise.
“I have directed the Diaspora Focal Point Officer (DFPO) of the State to establish a strong partnership with NIDCOM with a view to leveraging on the willingness to support states to tap from the huge emigrant Investment potentials which have remained yet untapped.”
