The chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora Affairs and member representing Oluyole federal constituency, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has said that Nigerians in the Diaspora are not criminals, but people who are adding value across the world.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Olamilekan Olusada, while speaking in Abuja at the launch of the National Diaspora Policy by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Akande-Sadipe said, “We are not criminals, but a people who are adding value across the world. Nigerian adults and children are making their positive marks and contributions worldwide, our positive narrative is greater than the negative, we and the world need to embrace that.”
Akande-Sadipe revealed that Nigerians in diaspora are making their positive mark and contributions worldwide.
She insisted, “A large number of those in the Diaspora are professionals, with specialization in all fields of human endeavour, including education, research, medicine, law, ICT, engineering, etc. This represents a large pool of human resource capacity that needs to be effectively engaged and coordinated to promote national development. Nigeria’s diasporans are changing the narrative, helping to showcase Nigeria as it truly is, showing that Nigeria is not a nation of criminals as some will want you to believe.
“It may Interest you to know that one of the legislative priorities of the 9th National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, as articulated in the Legislative Agenda of the House, is in the area of human capital development and social investment; and one of the prioritized legislative actions, is to pursue reforms in our foreign policy to ensure the protection of Nigerians and Nigerian interests in the diaspora. Also, to harness the potential of the Nigerian community in the diaspora for development, particularly in the area of skills and technology transfer, investments and the promotion of the country’s national image abroad.”
The Oluyole federal constituency representative also noted that an effective diaspora policy will provide a framework for the promotion of trade and foreign direct investment; create business opportunities and spur entrepreneurship, and the transfer of new technologies and skills.
She further stated that Nigeria is the largest remittances-recipient country in Sub-Saharan Africa and therefore there is need for effective coordination and regulation of diaspora remittances to contribute positively to the social and economic development of the country.
Hon. Tolulope in her remarks, congratulated the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, and its leadership, saying “I would like to congratulate the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, under the able leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for the tireless effort towards articulating a clear policy direction to effectively utilize, support and engage the diaspora for national development.
“In all we do, we must not forget our traffic Nigerians in diaspora, who are living in inhumane circumstances in the diaspora.”
She therefore congratulated all State Diaspora Focal Point Officers for their achievements in the mandate of harnessing the human capital and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora for the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria.
Charging them to be relentless and to seek more collaborative efforts from the civil servants, Akande-Sadipe said, “I encourage you all to continue to work with NiDCOM and the various committees that have been set up to ensure an effective and sustained diaspora engagement for national development.
“I would also like to use this opportunity to assure you of the total support of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs and indeed the House of Representatives.”
