By Mercy Peter
No fewer than 24 exceptional Nigerians in Diaspora were on Friday July 26 2024 awarded for their various contributions to National development by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate led the group of 24 diasporans honoured at the 2nd Edition of the National Diaspora Merit Award 2024 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
Speaking at the occasion, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, NiDCOM, said
Nigerians in the diaspora are doing great things, wherever they are as worthy ambassadors of the country.
She therefore said their contributions “ must be intentionally noticed, recognized, and celebrated in order to encourage all Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to national development.”
She went on, “Contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to national development are well documented
“ Over the years, they have contributed on the average of $20 billion as remittances.”
She said Nigeria in diaspora also have investmentment in the various sectors of the economy, including agriculture, education, health, oil and gas, transportation, enterprise, services, sports.
She therefore said, “The Nigerians in the diaspora cannot be ignored because of their contributions to national development.
“The success stories of Nigerians in the diaspora must therefore be told and celebrated. “
Objectives of the National Diaspora Merit Award, she pointed out “ is to recognize and celebrate Nigerians in the diaspora who have made contributions to the development of Nigeria over a cumulative period of at least five years.
“To project them as diaspora champions and our role models for others in the community.
“To change the narratives of the image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the diaspora as our ambassadors have obliged.
“To establish skill sets of the Nigerians in the diaspora who are active in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.”
The areas considered for Award she said includes agriculture, information and communication technology, science, technology and innovation, water resources, finance and economics, youth and sports, oil and gas and energy, education, medicine and healthcare, entertainment, arts and tourism, hotel and catering management, housing and real estate, transportation, fashion and aesthetics, philanthropy, leadership development.
The awards which has been instituted as an annual one, Dabiri-Erewa said is open to all Nigerians in the diaspora who have made one mark or the other.
