By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF), a private sector investment window with Nigerians in the diaspora aimed to attract foreign direct investors into the country.
The President gave the approval at the presentation of a compendium entitled +600 Diaspora Icons @ 60, published by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
According to him, Nigeria is open to welcoming the diaspora direct investment by compatriots abroad, pledging that the establishment of the platform will support NiDCOM to fulfil its mandate.
Mr Buhari noted that the foreign exchange remittances by Nigerians in the diaspora have not only helped families but enhanced the development index of Nigeria.
He described the 327-page compendium as “a historical record of the worth of our compatriots globally’’.
According to the President, the distinguished list in the publication is a reminder of what Nigerians are capable of doing to the delight of the global community.
“Irrespective of the few bad eggs among us, and every nation has such bad eggs, Nigeria remains a great country, populated by great people, living at home or abroad, making us proud.
“This compendium attests to that fact and the names of people and the fields they have excelled in speak about their resilience and how exceptional Nigerians, both at home and abroad, have become,” he added.
Mr Buhari reminded Nigerians that it is their duty to extol and celebrate compatriots that excel in their chosen careers and professions.
“No one else will do so for us. Rather, other people will tend to capitalise on the few bad eggs and characterise us in their own narratives, narratives that seek to characterise us in a bad light.
“We must not allow that to happen.
‘‘As we launch the compendium of excellent Nigerians today, we are also celebrating some of our best, nationally and globally.
‘‘I call on every Nigerian, irrespective of where they may be, to continue to be of exemplary behaviour and with determination to offer quality services that contribute to the progress of humanity,” he said.
He congratulated those whose names made it to this first edition and encouraged others to work more conscientiously to make the list in the subsequent editions.
While recounting his engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora during his official travels abroad, President Buhari said his diaspora threefold agenda remains unchanged.
He said: “Nigerians in the diaspora are our ambassadors-at-large by their character, comportment and daily actions.
“They should be the best and excel in all their endeavours and they should ‘give back’ by contributing to the development of Nigeria.”
Mr Buhari commended the commission led by Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa for the energy and innovative steps they put together to ensure better engagements with the diaspora community.
“Rebuilding Nigeria is not the responsibility of Nigerians who live at home alone but of every Nigerian irrespective of the place of domicile,” he said.
In her remarks, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said the idea of the compendium was inspired by the regular Diaspora Presidential Town Hall meetings.
“The compendium is birthed out of the necessity to recognise, celebrate and showcase Nigerians in the diaspora who are doing great things in their host countries and also contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the agency plans to publish the compendium at regular intervals, towards changing the negative stereotypes typified by the activities of a few Nigerians who do not represent the country well.
Dipo Olowookere