As the 5th diaspora investment summit kicks off in Abuja,the chairman NIDCOM,Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has called for greater recognition of diasporans.
The chairman who was represented by the secretary of NIDCOM, Sule Bassi said that a greater degree of recognition should be accorded to the Diaspora Community, totalling over 17 million Nigerians, who he said contributed over $20billion dollars in remittances to the economy in 2021.
The summit which is organized by the Nigerian Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in partnership with the Nigerian in Diaspora commission has as it’s theme: Optimising Investment Opportunities for National Development.The focus is on the numerous investment opportunities in Ondo state.
This year’s event which is hybrid in nature was attended by Nigerians locally and globally from all spheres of life.
Dabiri-Erewa described Diaspora engagement as demographic and an economic factor contributing towards national development through Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI).
She said that the summit has over the years served as a link between entrepreneurs and investors, home and abroad, in major business specialisations which has successfully given rise to job opportunities, economic growth and more taxable income to the Federal Government.
According to Dabiri-Erewa , the event is currently focused on the grassroots investment at sub-national levels because, “that is where the opportunities are for real. time investments.
She recalled that last year’s thematic focus was on Borno and Nassarawa States, while this year targets Ondo State and its plethora of viable businesses for investment.
In her speech, the Coordinator of the Investment Sunmit, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, said that the Summit has birthed many success stories which she attributed to the enabling business policies and the ease of doing business presidential initiative.
Dr Williams commended Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for her immense support and expressed hope for another productive engagement.
Mr. Bimbo Roberts Folayan, Founder, Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS) who joined virtually described the Summit as a laudable project which has jointly engaged Nigerians home and abroad to develop keen attachment to the development of homeland, Nigeria.
Mr. Folayan added that trust should be a key factor in creating a conducive business environment.
On his part the MD, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Haman Madu stated that with the Diaspora Housing packages available, trust and honesty are the twin investments portfolio needed to establish and sustain businesses as well as services by and for Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The NDIS 2022 is the fifth edition of the Summit. The three-day event has as theme: “Optimising Investment Opportunities for National Development”.
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