In response to the long-standing desire of the Nigerian diaspora to
support economic development in the country, a high level
Executive-Legislative team is currently holding a series of interactive
sessions with Nigerians in Europe and the United States. The sessions
are organized by the Debt Management Office, led by its
Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo.
The delegation is headed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy
and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and includes key members
of relevant committees in the National Assembly. The members of the
National Assembly are: Senator Ahmed Makarfi Chairman, Senate Committee
on Finance, Senator E. Uzamere, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and
Foreign Debts, Senator Ita Enang, Chairman, Senate Committee on
Appropriation, Honourable Adeyinka Ajayi, Chairman, House Committee on
Aid, Loans and Debt Management, Honourable Famurewa Ajibola Israel,
House Committee on Diaspora, Honourable Abdulrahman Terab, House
Committee on Finance and Honourable Emmanuel David Ombugadu, House
Committee on Appropriation.
It will be recalled that Nigerians in the Diaspora have been seeking
ways and means to contribute more to the country’s development. This
interest is backed by substantial capacity: the value of remittances
from Nigerians abroad in 2013 was $20.77 billion; for the first half of
2014 it is $10.40 billion. This includes contributions through
remittances to their families, friends and communities, medical missions
and provision of scholarships.
Indeed, the experience of countries such as Israel and India shows that
the Diaspora are a force to be reckoned with in the growth and
development of any country, through the funding of critical development
projects, among other means. The current effort is directed at providing
the Nigerian Diaspora similar opportunities.
The Meetings which started yesterday in London, will continue in New
York, Washington DC and Houston between September 2-4, 2014. The London
meeting hosted by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, H.E.
Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, was attended by over 140 invited Nigerian
professionals. The meeting provided an avenue for the CME and the other
members of the team to update Nigerians in the Diaspora on the
developments in the Nigerian economy, the major achievements of the
Transformation Agenda under the Administration of His Excellency,
President Goodluck E. Jonathan and the opportunities available in
Nigeria for Diaspora Nigerians.
Nigerians were also reassured of the developments in Nigeria with
respect to the Ebola Virus Disease and the Government’s management of
the situation. Participants expressed concern about the security
situation and urged the government to do more particularly with respect
to the return of the Chibok girls. Participants also showed a lot of
interest in contributing to development with investments in
infrastructure, SMEs and in the housing sector.
It is expected that through these Sessions, Nigerians in Diaspora will
be better informed about developments in the country and be encouraged
to contribute in various ways to the development of the economy and
nation-building in general.
Paul C Nwabuikwu
Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and
Minister of Finance