Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on citizens living abroad to help drive innovation, share knowledge, improve human capacity for accelerated development of the country.
Wife of the President, Tinubu made the call while giving her speech as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2024 edition of the National Diaspora Merit Award ceremony held in Abuja on Friday.
According to her, “The Government cannot do it alone. As we look forward to the future, our collective efforts across borders are necessary to drive innovation, share knowledge, experience and improve our human capital for shared prosperity”.
She noted the remarkable feats being achieved by Nigerians in Diaspora, urged them not to limit their achievements to the Diaspora alone.
While urged Nigerians living abroad not to relent in their efforts to continue to positively put the flag of the country on the world map at all times in everything they do; and not forget home.
Sen. Oluremi Tinubu said, “It is our joint responsibility to contribute to national progress, via Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), charitable endeavors, cultural preservation, amongst others”.
She encouraged the Nigerians in Diaspora to continue to be an embodiment of the best Nigeria has to offer the world and described them as Nigeria’s Ambassadors at large.
First Lady stated that the Awardees and all Nigerians in Diaspora have the world as their oyster urging them not to forget their roots.
To the awardees: “Today, we honour your achievements, contributions and patriotism to our beloved nation. Your tenacity, hard work and accomplishments in various fields of endeavors are truly remarkable and source of pride to us in Nigeria. I say well done”, she said.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa assured the Diaspora community of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.
She called for unity in the Diaspora and across the country, saying, “Let us remain united. If you bring down Nigeria, you are bringing down yourself. Today is a testament of good luck and better things coming for the Diaspora”.
In his welcome address, the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, Bis Akanbi reiterated that the contributions of 20 million Nigerians in the Diaspora to national development is enormous, encouraging and cannot be over-emphasized.
He appreciated the efforts of the Resource Persons, Partners, the Media, the Secretary to the Commission, Engr. Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi and the NiDCOM Boss, Dabiri-Erewa, for utmost support, sacrifices, commitments and guidance given towards the success of this annual event.
20 Nigerians in the Diaspora were presented with awards in various categories, while four given Special Recognition Awards including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, who himself was once a Nigerian in Diaspora.
