Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - The Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has told Nigerians in the diaspora to prioritise investment in their home country because US President Donald Trump's immigration policies might get them into the next flight to Lagos or Abuja.
Engr. Sule Yakubu, a top official of NiDCOM spoke on behalf of Mrs.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa in Bauchi on Monday, Jan. 27, at a one-day sensitisation and
advocacy programme for promoting diaspora investment potential in NorthEast
Nigeria.
“You cannot talk about people in the diaspora without reminding them
that they did not just find themselves in the diaspora by accident. They have a
root, they have a country of origin, and they are there as a country of
destination,” he said.
“You will never be a first-class citizen in your country of destination
even if you stay there for a hundred years. It is here (Nigeria) that they are
first-class citizens. So we have to tell them this message, that home is home.
And to develop Nigeria, we need both those at home and those in the
diaspora.
“Those in the diaspora have five things that we need to catalyze our
development in Nigeria. First, they have resources. Don’t kid yourself, one
dollar is equivalent to N1,700 and by the time you have $500, if you come back
here, you are already earning a million. So we need their resources. They have
talent, they have skills, they have global exposure, and they also have global
networks.”
“When you are with President Trump, you better be careful. Because you
could be on the next plane to Lagos or Abuja. So we need to remind them. We
need to tell them that home is home. So please, relax, speak, and pass the
message.”
Yakubu said that sensitisation was critical to tap the treasure of
human, material, mineral, agricultural, and every other type of resource for
development.
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