Nigeria hosts Africa and the world at the Global African diaspora symposium 2023

Harnessing the potential of the Africa’s Diaspora is the key to rebuilding the continent and fostering Socio economic development on the continent and showing the world the true might of the African people.

It is in light of this that the Global African diaspora symposium kicked off at the state house conference centre with dignitaries from across Africa invited for the sole purpose of examining Africa’s diaspora relations and working towards strengthening the connections between Africa and the global diaspora.

Speaking at the event, Honourable Abike Dabiri – Erewa whilst welcoming everyone to the symposium, emphasised NIDCOM’s commitment to fostering relations between Nigeria and its diaspora, noting that the efforts of the commission through its Presidential town hall meetings, Diaspora day celebrations, National diaspora investment summit, e.t.c had seen increased Diaspora engagements in several parts of the Nigerian Economy including Agriculture, Education, Health, Science and Technology, Information Communication Technology, Real Estate, Tourism and Culture, etc.

She stated that the symposium which was a joint effort by Diaspora Alliance (AfDA) in conjunction with the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), both of the Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was designed to address and proffer workable solutions to Africa’s most pressing issues and offer concrete strategies as well as the needed affiliation between key Diaspora leaders in government, business, the private sector and the professions, with leaders on the African continent, so as to achieve successful results.

Speaking at the event, minister of state, ministry of foreign affairs,Amb. Zubairu Dada , applauded the theme of the event stating that we can no longer think about our economy, society and scientific breakthroughs without thinking about the diaspora. He commended Mr President for approving the hosting of the symposium in Abuja as well as the OACPS diaspora centre of excellence also in Abuja.

Also in attendance was the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning , Prince Clem Agba who said that Nigeria should learn from South Africa and Rwanda to engage its diaspora for the Overall socio economic and cultural development of the country stating that the African diaspora is an integral part of the global diaspora community and while he commended our efforts towards engaging our diaspora community he stated that opportunities for them to contribute to the development of the African continent remained unexploited largely because of proper coordination.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his keynote address which was delivered by his representative, the honourable minister of transport, stated that the symposium was a national milestone and that it was imperative for Africans at home and in the diaspora to connect and forge a common front, laying down strategies to address the challenges they face hence the efforts of his administration to create initiatives like the national diaspora policy and the strategic action plan on diaspora engagement as well as finalising the diaspora investment trust, the diaspora mortgage program and other “Delicacies” to attract our diaspora.

He stated that the symposium was essential for the future prosperity of Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

In his keynote presentation, Founder of constituency for Africa, Mr. Melvin Foote said he believed that the way he contributes to helping Africa is by influencing the policies of the United States that affect Africa citing his contribution to Obama’s “ Young African leaders initiative” as well as his contributions towards the Biden administrations policies towards Africa.

The symposium was an intellectually stimulating experience as several other speakers shared their ideas and experiences in a bid to improve Africa’s engagement with its diaspora and lead the continent to a new age of development backed by africans home and abroad, it was also a celebration of African culture as dancers and performers thrilled dignitaries and participants to a colourful display of the richness of Africa’s tribes and people.