FG holds Nigerians in Diaspora in high esteem

President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government holds Nigerians in the diaspora in high esteem due to their immense contributions to national development.

Buhari, who was represented by the Chief of Staff (CoS), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, made this known on Monday at the National Diaspora Day 2022 celebration in Abuja.

The National Diaspora Day is organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), with the theme: “Diaspora Engagement in a Globally Challenging Time”.

The day is celebrated on July 25 annually.

Buhari said that the celebration was an opportunity to address over 17 million Nigerians in the Diaspora on the great occasion set aside to celebrate Nigeria’s best in the world.

“This celebration is in recognition of your contributions to national development and networking them to ministries, departments, agencies of government, and state diaspora focal point officers and civil society organisations in Nigeria.

“Let me reiterate that our government has held and will continue to hold our citizens in the Diaspora in the highest esteem and this is evidenced by the following.

“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 abduction of the national Diaspora policy 2021, DailyTimesNGR gathered.

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

Buhari said this year’s theme, ‘Diaspora Engagement in a Globally Challenging Time for national development’, is apt “considering our experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic”.

He said, “And the ongoing Russian/Ukraine war and the general insecurity, which we are experiencing not only in Nigeria but across the globe.”