What Nigerians in diaspora really want in the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (2)
Exemption of customs duty on all donated materials, especially for national emergencies, should be effected. The absence of this has made it difficult to negotiate donation of medical, science and engineering materials to Nigerian beneficiary entities. There have been cases where such goods have been at the port for months, sometimes abandoned or ‘confiscated’ by ‘unknown authority’.
To ensure a balance in the management of the affairs of Nigerians in Diaspora, NIDCO should encourage state governments to have Directorates of Diaspora with emphasis on engaging the Nigerians in Diaspora from their own states the same way that Nigerian Missions abroad would have a ‘Diaspora Office’.
That Nigerians in Diaspora remit about $20 billion annually is no longer news. Channelling remittances into productive investments is the challenge. Certain measures can be considered to this end. One such way is to generate development opportunities: NIDCO should encourage banks and other financial institutions to provide remittance investment and housing opportunities; disseminating information to the Diaspora on savings and investment options for remittances. Too many times, “dependable” family members and friends, under unstructured arrangements, have been sad experiences
A Diaspora housing scheme should be pursued by NIDCO. In the same breath, the Nigeria Diaspora Commission should interact on level ground with all organised Nigerian communities in Diaspora, have egalitarian relationship with all registered organisations of Nigerians in Diaspora on the equitable platform, with the same recognition and support, and NOT give any preferential treatment to NIDO. Several other Nigerian organisations in Diaspora have more effectively served the interests of Nigeria Diaspora, promoted sense of belonging, practiced the ideals of ‘Nigerianism’, put service above self and not allow themselves to be motivated by prospects of contracts, political jostling or promises of land allocations in Abuja. “NIDO Desk” should be scrapped and needs to be replaced with the “Diaspora Office” in all Nigerian Missions abroad to adequately reflect the spread, genuineness and diverse coverage of the activities of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission.
In conclusion, there is no question that both Nigeria and its Diaspora will endure into future generations. NOW is the time for the passage of the Diaspora Commission Bill. Now is the time for Nigeria to create programmes that reach out to our nationals living abroad, and harness their potentials for the benefit of the Nigerian economy. It is time to focus on developing stronger economic links with the Diaspora population, and encourage the return of young experts and the amelioration of further brain drain.
The choice before the Nigerian parliament is either to keep the country perpetually in the club of the underdeveloped world or tap into the overflowing potentials of Nigerians living abroad and make the country a major player in global affairs. The first step in this direction is passing the Nigeria Diaspora Commission Bill to provide the platform for harnessing this great human capital in foreign lands. Yes, we can. There is no other choice. If our elected officers in the National Assembly truly have the interest of Nigerians at heart, if the honourable members of the House will honour their commission, then it is the path of honour for our respected lawmakers to pass the Diaspora Commission Bill now!
As National Assembly pushes ahead on the bill for the establishment of a Diaspora Commission, Nigerians living abroad must get involved in the passage of the bill. One of the ways to make a difference is to speak to members of the National Assembly who are representing their constituencies in Nigeria. No, we cannot give up on the National Assembly. Let us recall the words of one of our elder statesmen to “see hope in the great potentials that Nigerians have, when they are empowered, motivated and well led”. Let us “see hope in the blending of the experience of the old with the energy and dynamism of the young. We must therefore keep hope alive, and continue to bear with one another, as we move, all of us, to the great future that beckons us. There lies our hope for Nigeria. We are at the beginning of a new morning for our nation. The future looks very bright indeed. Clearly, I see hope” in the passing of the Nigerians in Diaspora Bill. Now is the time!
Olowokere, the executive vice president/CEO of the US-Nigeria Trade Council, writes from Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
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