By Ada Nkong
As the 2023 Nigeria diaspora investment summit kicks off in Abuja, the Chairman NiDCOM,Abike Dabiri-Erewa has expressed satisfaction with the result of the summit over the years.
In her address at the summit with the theme ‘New Vistas, New Aspirations,
New Opportunities: The Diaspora and National Development‘ which she described as appropriate because “it creates innovative platforms of partnerships, between the Government and the Diaspora, in attracting investment into local businesses and thus enhancing Foreign Direct Investment in the country also, facilitating
economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy solutions, which is expected to boost cross-sectoral investment cooperation, she harped on the success stories from previous editions”.
” NDIS has over the years been expanding its participants’
network, showcasing their products and services to target audience such as the diaspora investors, sponsors and government actors”. She further described the summit as wealth creation by the diaspora who are ready to put in their money if people promote their business.
On her part,Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams said she considered the summit a fait accompli as investors were already networking and keying into Pitches.
According to her ” this is not about building government practices,this is about human capital development, building humanity empowering the micro small and medium scale enterprises”.
” We have recorded tremendous responses that I can guarantee you today that there will also be lots of successes “.
She listed some key Investors present,”we have an investor who has his own investment farm and has also brought in other investors with groups of investors and also belongs to another network of investors, this man has always brought investors with him to NDIS every single year he is also going to sponsor two best SMEs “.
The Irish ambassador to Nigeria who was present at the summit said he was impressed by what he had seen and promised to encourage and support the efforts. He said he had learnt a lot from the summit.
According to him ” I think it’s worthwhile. I think it is a very interesting time for the Nigerians in diaspora,I am impressed with what I have seen, I am impressed with what I have heard, I am not surprised I have seen the Nigerians in Ireland that are so many talented and motivated people ready to work with partners at home and also with partners around the world “.
The first day of the event saw pitches from the fields of education and Fintech which had Nigerians from various diaspora organisations, businesses and government functionaries in attendance both physically and virtually.
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