The Nigerian Government says it is set for the annual National Diaspora Investment Summit.
Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa said this at a media briefing ahead of the 2020 National Diaspora Day, which is slated for the 25th of July, in Abuja Nigeria.
She said the diaspora forms an integral part of a nation whether host or homeland, but more importantly to the country of origin.
“This reason alone forms the basis to set aside a day to applaud our diasporas and dialogue issues affecting the diaspora. Nigeria cherishes and lauds the efforts of all her diasporas worldwide that a Commission was established to ‘engage and utilise the human, capital and material resources of this demography in the socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria,” she said.
She said the achievements made by the Diasporans in the last one year were commendable.
EVACUATION INTERVENTIONS
Following series of interventions to ameliorate attacks on black Africans in South Africa including Nigerians, the Commission received the first and second batches of stranded Nigerians back home in Lagos on September 11, 2019, and September 18, 2019.
A total of 501 returnees consisting of 187 and 314 Nigerians respectively.
“They received SIM Cards worth of N40,000 airtime plus 9GB of data valid for two months, as well as, a soft loan from the Bank of Industry to support those interested in small trade and businesses.
“A programme of re-integration has been put in place with the support of some NGOs and their respective states of origin which had been written by NiDCOM after the returnees had been profiled for necessary assistance.
“Currently, as COVID-19 is still on the rampage, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian Missions around the world have evacuated and still evacuating stranded Nigerians anywhere in the world”. The NIDCOM Chairman said.
UPDATE OF EVACUATIONS SO FAR
US; 3 batches – 806
UK; 3 batches – 831
Saudi Arabia – 117
Cairo, Egypt – 372
France – 70
India; 3 batches – 540
UAE Dubai; 5 batches – 1,405
Turkey; 2 batches – 324
Sudan; 3 batches – 365
Uganda & Kenya – 172
Senegal – 17
Pakistan – 56
Egypt – 102
China – 268
Malaysia &Thailand – 247
Lebanon – 147
Canada – 51
South Africa – 324
Ghana – 205
Total: – 6,317
AFRICAN COUNTRIES
The Chairman pointed out that with the support of Air Peace Nigeria Ltd, there have been multiple evacuations from some African countries.
STATE DIASPORA FOCAL POINT OFFICERS’ MEETING
The Commission inaugurated the State Focal Point Officers’ Meeting In February 2020, with representatives from 27 states of the 36 states in Nigeria and the FCT, as well as the other International Bodies to dialogue and strategize on the way forward for diaspora engagements at the grassroots.
PREVIOUS SUMMIT EVENTS
In 2018 Nigeria realised $25 billion in diaspora remittances, as the Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) predicted that Nigerian diaspora remittances will be at US$25.5 billion, US$29.8 billion and US$34.8 for 2019, 2021 and 2023 respectively.
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