Bauchi Governor emphasizes importance of leveraging skills, expertise, experience of Nigerians in Diaspora for development

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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has emphasized the importance of leveraging the skills and expertise of diaspora Nigerians to drive economic growth and development in the country.

He therefore expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to tap into the vast human capital potential of Nigerians living abroad.

The Governor was speaking during a courtesy call by a high-powered delegation from NIDCOM led by the Secretary of the Commission, Engr Dr Sule Yakubu Bassi at the Governor’s Office, Bauchi.

Mohammed, praised the efforts of NIDCOM in promoting the interests of Nigerians abroad and fostering partnerships between the diaspora community and the Nigerian government.

He noted that the diaspora community has made significant contributions to the development of Nigeria, particularly in the areas of medicine, engineering, and technology.

The Governor also highlighted the need to address the challenges faced by Nigerians living abroad, including mistrust and frustration with the system emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for diaspora Nigerians to invest in their home country and contribute to its development.

To achieve this, Mohammed proposed establishing more nursing schools, teaching hospitals, and other institutions to develop the human capital of Nigerians.

In addition to human capital development, the Governor also discussed the potentials for investment in various sectors, including entertainment, food and beverages, and e-commerce.

He expressed his willingness to collaborate with NIDCOM to identify investment opportunities and create an enabling environment for diaspora Nigerians to invest in their home country.

Earlier the Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa represented by the Commission’s Secretary Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi told the Governor that they were in Bauchi for Sensitization and Advocacy Program For Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in North-East subregion of the Country.

Dabiri-Erewa explained that NIDCOM’s mission is to provide a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to the country’s economic and industrial development.

She added that the Commission has been working to promote investment opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education and Healthcare.

She stresses that the visit underscores the importance of diaspora engagement in Nigeria’s infrastructural, technological, industrial and economical growth and development.

According to her, “With over 17 million Nigerians living abroad, the diaspora community plays a crucial role in the country’s economic growth and development.

Dabiri-Erewa urged Journalists to join the crusade by projecting the country in good light through positive and development oriented journalism that will attract the diaspora to come back home to invest.

She stressed that most of the negative reports in the media are constituting setbacks to the efforts of the Commission pointing out that there is no country that is 100 percent free from negativity but they suppress such to attract people.