Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has urged Nigerians living abroad to invest in the country’s development.
She called for especial focus on the development of the healthcare, agriculture, and real estate, sectors.
In a statement by Mr Gabriel Odu of the commission’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, said Dabiri-Erewa made the call during a courtesy visit, on Tuesday, by Abigail Marshall Katung, Labour Councillor of the United Kingdom, who expressed her delight at being recognised by her home country.
The NiDCOM chairman who was represented by the Secretary to the commission, Dr Yakubu Sule Bassi, underscored the importance of involving the Nigerian diaspora in the country’s policies, projects, and overall development.
She said the diaspora’s contribution to national development was crucial, adding that the “Diaspora Phenomenon” is the real deal.h
She outlined three areas through which Nigerians living abroad could make significant impact in the life of their fatherland.
“These include: resources, talents, and skills.”
The NiDCOM chair emphasised the need for diasporans to uphold the 3-point Agenda for Nigerians living abroad.
She said diasporans should be exemplary ambassadors wherever they found themselves, adding that they should be able to excel in whatever they engaged in, remain connected to their homeland, and be able to give back to their communities.
Katung, who is a Nigerian-born politician from Kaduna State, was elected to represent Little London and Woodhouse Ward.
The Labour councillor expressed her joy visiting Nigeria and her commitment to collaborating with NiDCOM.
She acknowledged the honour of being recognised by her home country, which she believed gave her an advantage over her colleagues in the UK.
More so, having left Nigeria over 20 years ago, she shared her passion for education and her involvement in medical and educational recruitment, particularly in facilitating Nigerian students’ admission into UK institutions.
She said her focus was on empowering young women through a mentorship scheme, mentoring 12 individuals each year, with an emphasis on the girl child.
She said “mentorship is about imparting skills and not solely about financial gains”.
Katung recently made history as the first African, and particularly the first Nigerian to be elected as a member of the Leeds City Council in the UK.
With an overwhelming majority of votes (1,749 votes), she emerged as the Councillor for the Little London and Woodhouse Ward, UK.
