As the 5th Annual Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit wraps up, Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed assurances of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, that the dream of having Ondo Seaport will soon be actualised.
This was disclosed in her remarks at the Closing Plenary of the Summit on Friday, “One of the major aim of the summit is to drive key investments in various local sectors of the economy.” She added.
In a statement signed by the Commission Media and Public Relations unit, Dabiri-Erewa encouraged participants to invest back home, as the State in focus, Ondo, has been able to showcase the numerous investment opportunities.
The Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, represented by Hajia Hafsat Kadiri, revealed that the Organization’s readiness to support and partner with investors and developers.
According to him, “The Diaspora City will be standing on 600 hectares of land in Abuja as a pilot project. We hope to extend it across the Nation. Diasporas are hereby welcome to build their own cities in their respective states”.
Also, the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, represented by the Secretary, Dr. George Ekpungu who said Nigeria is the best destination for Investment.
“Nigeria has vast opportunities which require responsibility to be turned into National investment. With Integrity and accountability in management of resources, investments will yield optimum benefits to both investors and the Nation.” He professed.
The EFCC Boss further disclosed that the agency’s commitment to tackling corruption and sanitizing the economic space to ensure investors get value for their money especially through the three recent laws.
“The Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act 2022, Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022, and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022.”
Minster of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Amb. Zubairu Dada, who was able represented by Dr. Oludare Folowosele, described the Diaspora as a source of joy to the nation.
He further assured that the Ministry will continue to work closely with stakeholder to ensure championing the course of the diaspora.
Permanent Secretary FCT, Adesola Olusade in his remarks expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the summit as he commends NiDCOM and all partners and sponsors for putting up the event.
“It is obvious that the Diaspora summit has been getting better over the years. We look forward to having FCT as a state in focus because the opportunities here are vast”, he expressed.
Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe challenged the Diaspora to sell Nigeria as an investment destination,
“We can collaborate, those of us at home and those in the diaspora to bring more businesses to Nigeria. We need pathway like interpretation of the constitution so that anyone with a link to Nigeria will identify themselves as Nigerians”.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, Sen. Michael Ana-Nnachi, encouraged diasporas to look inwards and work with government to build an economy that will bring about a change in the fortunes of the nation.
Ana-Nnachi further suggested that the summit be adopted as a forum for unity and diversity and an encouragement hub where knowledge is shared freely with the hope of transforming Nigeria.