The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has called on Nigerians
living in the Diaspora, especially those living in the developed and
advanced democracies, to bring their much acquired skills to impact
positively on the building of a new Nigeria under the Change Agenda of the
current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a speech delivered today at the 7th National Diaspora Conference held
at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Prof. Osinbajo noted that
the Diaspora has become a huge platform for several nations to leverage
for the realization of their national developmental aspirations.
The Vice President cited the experiences of India, China and Korea whose
citizens abroad have contributed immensely to their phenomenal economic
growth and development. He then urged Nigerians abroad to sacrifice adding
that the India Diaspora would not have possibly impacted their nation
without sacrifice.
Outlining some of the economic plans and policies of this administration
based on the bottom-up approach, Prof. Osinbajo said government’s
intervention will come in the provision of physical, infrastructure,
implementation of robust economic and social policies that will provide
opportunities and succor for 110 million poor people in the country.
Furthermore, he disclosed specifically that ‘’ in the power sector, the
administration aims to consistently generate 5,000 megawatts of power
going into first quarter of next year’’; adding that this would involve
aggressively ensuring that all power related projects are speedily
concluded.
He also mentioned that in the hydro-carbon industry, the administration is
pursuing a long over-due reform. For instance, ‘’in the short and medium
term, the NNPC would be re-organized and this has already begun as the
leadership is being held accountable for revenue shortfall in past years.
In agriculture sector, government would pursue self-sustenance in the
production of items such as rice, wheat, cotton and therefore considerably
reduce foreign exchange requirement for importation of these items as rice
importation alone consumes about $4 billion.’’
While pledging massive job creation particularly for the youth, the Vice
President disclosed that the government intends to give the textile and
garment factories a new lease of life in the shortest possible time. He
likewise promised investment in the area of infrastructure, agriculture
and mining sectors which will absorb many of the qualified unemployed. In
addition, he declared that government’s job creation plan will include a
one meal per day programme for primary school pupils expected to create
several job opportunities.
‘’ I have gone to this length to underscore the important role that
Nigerians in Diaspora can play in the new Nigeria which is now under
construction. It is well known that several nations of the world have
tapped into the wealth of knowledge and exposure of their Diaspora mixed
with those at home to build a thriving economy. India has attained its
present global status in part because of the contribution of its
Diaspora.’’
The Vice President averred that now is the right time for Nigerians in
Diaspora to make sacrifices towards contributing their quota to nation
building, especially when the country is presently facing numerous
obstacles and challenges.
‘’I propose that the impact the Diaspora of those nations have brought to
bear would not have been possible if they were not prepared to make
sacrifices. If many of them had waited for the home environment to be
completely ideal, before they start to actively get involved and engaged
in their home countries, they would probably still be waiting up till now.
He assured the Diaspora community of the resolve of the Buhari
administration to resolutely tackle some of the numerous challenges
confronting the country, emphasizing that the Federal Government is poised
to take the critical steps in repositioning Nigeria towards the path of
greatness again.
Amb. Babagana Kingibe, who was chair of the occasion, stressed on the need
for the citizens in the diaspora to organize themselves in keeping their
links to their motherland for the purpose of contributing to her
development. Amb. Kingibe urged them to key into government’s effort at
creating a new Nigeria.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, Office
in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mrs
Ibukun Odusote, commended Nigerians in the Diaspora for their individual
achievements which has given the country a positive image. She stated that
the objective of the Conference is strictly on harnessing the skills and
expertise of the Diaspora community to address issues in critical sectors
for national development.