In a bid to recognise the contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora as well as mainstream them into the national development agenda of the present administration the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has introduced the Diaspora Merit Awards.
The Awards is part of activities to mark the 2023 National Diaspora Day, which is an annual event in Nigeria to celebrate and recognise the contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to national development.
Chairman/CEO NIDCOM, Hon Abika Dabiri-Erewa, made this known, while addressing a press conference on the 2023 National Diaspora Day, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The celebration, she said, was as prescribed by the National Diaspora Policy 2021, Section 2.3.4. as approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), adding that, this year’s event is the 17th edition after its declaration in 2006 and is the 5th in the
series since the establishment of the NIDCOM in May 2019.
The Commission’s boss who noted that, “Each year is thematic as it poses a general agenda for the Diasporas and stakeholders in Diaspora engagement to deliberate upon,” disclosed the theme for 2023 as: “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National
Development.”
She stressed that Nigeria, as a nation, was blessed with rich and diverse Diaspora population, worldwide, pointing out that, “These individuals; our Nigerian brothers and sisters; men
and women living abroad, possess immense potential as catalyst and contributors
to our national development.
“Over 17 million Nigerians are performing feats, internationally in the fields of Education, Medicine, Health, Sports, Media & Entertainment, Leadership & Politics, Finance, Science & 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.
“We must accept that the Diaspora characterises a powerful force for change, not
because of the financial remittances, but because they pose a lot more than the figures remitted. They are the link to our past and present, and possibly our hope for a better future for Nigeria.
“These men and women from Nigeria, therefore, must be intentionally celebrated in every possible way for their role as Ambassadors of our dear country globally; trendsetters in various walks of life but most importantly in encouraging them to invest in the sustainable growth of the country. Hence, the celebrations each year is to recognise them and mainstream them into our national development agenda.”
According to Dabiri-Erewa, “The celebrations this year is the first under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,”
She explained that it would feature, among others, Presidential address by His Excellency, President Tinubu; panel discussion on the theme; celebrity interview; as well maiden Diaspora Merit Awards in various sectors including: Global Diaspora Icon, Education, Engineering, Medicine & Healthcare, ICT, Philanthropy, Humanitarian and Leadership.
And many other activities. 4.0. The National Diaspora Day main event will hold on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, while the Diaspora Merit Awards is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at the same venue.
While urging Nigerians to participate in the celebration, the NIDCOM boss maintained that: “Consolidating Diaspora engagements for national development cannot be overlooked. Our diaspora community is a vast low hanging fruit of untapped resources, and by harnessing their expertise, investments, and cultural influence, we can launch Nigeria towards greater heights.
“This quest is a joint effort for the Government, Private & 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.”