Tinubu: Nigerians in Diaspora want inclusion in key positions

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Nigerians under the auspices of the Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corps (NIDMECORP) have urged the incoming administrations to appoint Diasporans.

This is contained in a statement issued by the president of the group, Mr. Alistair Soyode, on Friday.

Soyode blamed Nigeria’s poor progress on the exclusion of Diasporans from critical posts, boards, and constituted institutions.

Appointing Diaspora Nigerians to Ministries, Departmental Agencies (MDAs), and parastatal organisations, according to Soyode, would boost governance and leadership in the country.

He stated that Nigerians in the diaspora played crucial roles in the country’s 2023 elections, describing it as a first among many that stood for justice, fairness, and equity.

“With more than 20 billion dollars remittances yearly, they are not just an economic powerhouse but contributors to the wellbeing of the citizens,’’ he said.

He urged the various incoming governments to see the call as a policy direction that would strengthen the country using the best of its citizens outside the country.

“We are very excited that the Diaspora community has one of the best brains not just for the benefits of Nigeria but of their host nations, adopted or country of birth whilst still having a major affiliation to Nigeria’s development and growth, economically, professionally and otherwise.

“The yearly remittance contributions to families and projects or supporting and sponsoring programmes created the Nigeria we have today.

“Having them in policies and government programmes will help boost knowledge, skills and increase the GDP as well as local resources for the affected areas.

“Examples of Nigerians doing well can be seen at the recently acclaimed successful coronation of King Charles, where the security arrangements and schedules were led by DC Ade Adelekan, among others.

“The Diaspora Nigerians have shown total commitment to Nigeria’s development which also brings to the table the yearly Diaspora Day event in July where Nigerians from all over the world come home to discuss, deliberate and find ways to empower millions.

“The government at all levels must be more proactive to utilise such events to secure the willing partners into all boards, ministries and parastatal agencies.

“It is by showing the political will that others will be partners freely and joyfully extend hands of business and professional skills.

“President Muhammadu Buhari approved and put in placed the Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and I pray the incoming government will provide the needed structures, resources and policies for its full implementation and execution.

“This commission can deliver more with the needed resources and it is Nigeria as a nation that will gain from her services, international reach and global partners of our Nigerians in the Diaspora which shows the principles of participatory democracy as experienced outside the country,’’ Soyode said.

He said that it would amount to a positive leadership and political inclusion to have each ministry, agency, commission and parastatal agency with at least one Nigerian in Diaspora on in the board.

According to him, diasporans appreciate such gestures and policies.

Soyode also said that the inclusiveness of Diaspora Nigerians would be a departure from lack of future planning and fear of diaspora leadership into a new era of global Nigeria dominance with skills and experiences, making Nigeria the choice destination of economic growth.

“We urge local government chairmen, state governors and the incoming president to extend appointments to diasporans without delay.

“The whole nation has about 1500 commissioners and ministers not taking into account the other MDAs while there are more than 15 million diasporans and surely they will contribute immensely to speed the developments on all aspects of the nation.

“NIDMECORP, on behalf of Nigerians in Diaspora, positively demands justice, fairness and equitable representation for the benefits of Nigeria’s fast development.

“We reiterate and call for this inclusiveness and full invitations to the best of our brains to come home on a three, six or nine months to one-year sabbatical working leave for Nigeria.

“Few of our best are now positioned in globally recognised institutions, companies and organisations,’’ Soyode said.

NAN