President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Nigerians in the diaspora for being worthy ambassadors in their host countries.

The President stated this while performing this year’s flag off of the National Diaspora day celebration in Abuja organized by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission NiDCOM

The President also commended the various contributions by about seventeen million Nigerians in diaspora to national development as he assured them of his government’s readiness to support their plans for Nigeria.

President Buhari, who was  represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari stated that the event was held as a platform to particularly recognize the contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora to national development, adding that, the present administration will continue to hold citizens in diaspora in the highest esteem.

The President also lauded Nigerians in Diapora for their support to nation building as evident in “the passage of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission Establishment Act in 2017, the establishment and kick-off of the Commission in 2019, the approval and adoption of the national Diaspora policy 2021.

“The presentation of the compendium of the ‘+600 Diaspora Icons at 60’, which remains a historic record of the worth of our compatriot globally.”

The president pointed out that this year’s theme, Diaspora Engagement in a Globally and Challenging Time for National Development” is the best, considering the COVID-19 pandemic effect in the country and the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war and the general insecurity, which is being experienced not only in Nigeria but across the globe.

He also applauded the Chairman of NiDCOM for the programs he believed “will have considerable impacts on the nation’s economy for sustainable development.”

Amb. Zubairu Dada, the Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his remarks called the occasion a timely event as the world just witnessed the devastating COVID-19 Pandemic.

He appreciated the efforts of the diaspora for taking out time to participate in the event despite the distance most of them have to cover and the differences in the time zones, describing their efforts as a testimony of resilience and commitment to national unity and its development.

In her welcome address, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, described the event as a platform for critical discussion, engagements, and solutions.

The Chairman buttressed the fact that there is so much good news about Nigeria and Nigerians in the diaspora that needs to be explored.

She particularly mentioned the global shift of attention to Nigeria created by the many success stories of our diasporans.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon.Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, in her goodwill message also lauded the Commission for putting up the event despite challenging times.

She commended the administration of President Buhari in its efforts towards supporting the Diaspora course as she called on all well-meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota in reviving the nation’s falling economy and restoring security in the land.

Mr. Mansur Mukhtar of Islamic Development Bank of Nigeria (IsDB) in Jeddah in a virtual message commended the Nigerian Government for recognizing the Diasporans as National assets.

He expressed hope that the successful implementation of the diaspora policy will mark a new era where the nation’s resources can be judiciously exploited for the development of our country

Dr. Amina Muhammad, the Deputy Secretary General of, the United Nations, described Nigerians in Diaspora as worth more than the billions of Naira they sent home as remittances just as he charged Nigerian Youths to be challenged by the successes of the Diaspora to enable them maximize their hidden potential.

She commended the President for among other key achievements, inaugurating the National Diaspora Policy and approving the Diaspora Investment Trust Fund.

Also, in his solidarity message, the President, of Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who expressed hope in the greatness of Nigeria, assured that Nigerians never to forget where home is.

Dr. Adesina a proud Nigerian, therefore, encourages the Nigerian government to put in place better policies to support the Nigerians in Diaspora.

The program witnessed key activities including four technical sessions with Nigerians in the diaspora across the continents on the practical ways of contributing back home to aid national development and goodwill messages from Envoys within and outside the country.