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.