FG reaffirms commitment to engagement with Nigerian Diaspora for national development

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritizing security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a critical asset for national development, and deepening strategic partnerships anchored on mutual respect and trust.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Sola Enikanolaiye made the commitment in an address he delivered the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.

This was contained in a statement by Richard Elesho, the special assistant to the Minister on Media and Strategic Communications on Sunday.

Enikanolaiye stated that while security remains a major challenge for the nation, the Tinubu administration is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the over 10 years multifaceted challenge is contained

He noted that Nigeria is entering “a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy” with key international partners, including the United States. “I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” the Minister said, adding that this strategic engagement is aimed at delivering “core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians in terms of security, in terms of prosperity, in terms of defence and the welfare of the Nigerian people.”

On the Nigerian diaspora, the Minister emphasized that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government views Nigerians abroad not as a burden, but as vital contributors to national progress.

“For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development. We don’t see you as a basket case of consular burden responsibilities always in need of government’s intervention and assistance. No.

“On the contrary, we see you as a vital human resource with huge capacities for Nigeria which government is trying to harness in terms of our national development priorities,” he stated.

The Minister called for stronger unity among Nigerians at home and abroad, urging citizens to break down barriers of ethnicity, religion, and tribe.

“We are aware of the trust deficit that exists among Nigerians, especially those of us abroad. Let’s try and break those barriers of ethnicity, barriers of religion, barriers of tribe, and let’s relate on the functional aspect of cooperation that promotes production, that promotes development, that promotes growth and prosperity unto Nigeria,” he said.

He also acknowledged the role of Canada and other partners in fostering “more productive partnership in the ways of mutual respect and cooperation going forward,” and commended stakeholders contributing to Nigeria’s development.

The Minister concluded by thanking the organizers of the conference and the diaspora community “for celebrating the assets of Nigeria,” and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to work with all partners to advance the nation’s interests.