NIDCOM ANNOUNCES DIASPORA DAY CELEBRATIONS FEATURING FIRST DIASPORA MERIT AWARDS

The chairman Nigerians in Diaspora commission,HON. Abike Dabiri Erewa says the 17th annual diaspora day will be celebrated in abuja on the 25th and 26th of July 2023.
Speaking to the press as well as delegates from the Nigerians in diaspora organisation, the chairman revealed that the theme of this years event is “Consolidating Diaspora engagement for national development” stating that Nigeria is blessed with a rich and diverse diaspora worldwide and that these Nigerians in diaspora possess the potential to be catalysts and contributors to our national development.
“Over 17 million Nigerians are performing feats, internationally in the field of education, medicine, health, sports, media and entertainment, leadership and politics, finance, science and ICT, Transportation, tourism, industry and agribusiness. Their skills, knowledge, network and experiences are indispensable assets which can be harnessed to bolster Nigeria’s progress and development”

HON. Abike also shared that this years celebration will feature the Diaspora merit awards which will recognise extraordinary Nigerians in various sectors ranging from ,education, engineering, medicine, healthcare, philanthropy, humanitarian’s and leadership stating that these men and women must be celebrated for their roles as ambassadors of our dear country and encouraged to invest in the sustainable growth of the country. The two day celebration will also feature presentations from diaspora groups as they unveil their programs and projects.

Dabiri-Erewa expressed her excitement regarding the forthcoming events noting that this years diaspora day celebrations is the first under the Renewed hope agenda and she expressed her commitment to working with the new administration to foster proper diaspora engagements for the development of the country noting that we gain nothing from bickering and disagreeing and we should instead focus on Nigeria and what we can achieve together.

“This quest is a joint effort for the Government, private and public sectors, the Diaspora and other strategic stakeholders in effective diaspora engagement to come on board to bridge the gap and build a stronger more prosperous Nigeria that benefits from the mutual strength and prowess of its sons and daughters, home and abroad.”

She welcomed the delegates from the Nigerians in diaspora organisation Europe, who were present to pay her a courtesy visit as part of their “A week in Nigeria project” commending their efforts in bringing Nigerians in diaspora together and playing their part by contributing to Nigeria.