President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians living in Rwanda that his administration will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the country achieves its full potential and secures its rightful place among leading nations of the world.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Kigali on Friday, President Tinubu said his government remained committed to dismantling obstacles preventing Nigerians from attaining their aspirations both at home and abroad.
The meeting brought together Nigerian academics, professionals, entrepreneurs and students resident in Rwanda, including representatives of international organisations and business leaders.
The President commended the diaspora community for projecting a positive image of Nigeria through their conduct and contributions to their host country.
“I thank you for being good ambassadors, and we are proud of what you are doing, which reflects the Nigerian pride. Our reforms are working, and the economy is bright and stable,” Tinubu said.
According to the President, his administration owes Nigerians the responsibility of creating an enabling environment that would allow citizens excel globally.
“We owe every Nigerian, both at home and abroad, the provision of the enabling environment to break and lead in all spheres. To the students and professionals here, I promised today that Nigeria will be governed transparently. I will lead with sincerity regardless of tribe or any other considerations,” he added.
President Tinubu also urged Nigerians in Rwanda to remain united and avoid ethnic and tribal divisions, stressing that national identity should supersede sectional interests.
“The Green-White-Green flag means so much to all of us. None of us has direct control over where we are born; God has that prerogative. Your tribe does not matter as you have no control over where you are born or who your parents are,” he said.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s history, the President noted that the country had overcome its painful past by embracing reconciliation and a forward-looking vision.
Tinubu further explained that the symbol on his trademark cap represented his commitment to breaking the chains of poverty, ignorance, disease and other social challenges confronting Nigerians.
The President directed Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna, to work closely with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Presidency to address concerns raised by Nigerians in Rwanda, particularly issues affecting economic and intellectual engagement with the homeland.
Ambassador Zanna informed the President that the Nigerian High Commission in Kigali had digitised its records and maintained a comprehensive database of Nigerians residing in Rwanda.
Earlier, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who led the delegation, described the Nigerians in Rwanda as exceptional citizens contributing meaningfully to Rwanda’s development.
According to her, the delegation included 28 PhD holders as well as chief executives and professionals excelling in sectors such as education, hospitality, ICT, sports and business.
Chairman of the Association of Nigerians in Rwanda, Prof. Umar Wali, told the President that the association was founded through the efforts of members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps serving in Rwanda since 2005.
He said the group had continued to promote peaceful coexistence, lawful conduct, cultural exchange and stronger ties between Nigerians and Rwandans.
However, Wali highlighted challenges faced by Nigerians in Rwanda, particularly difficulties in renewing passports and obtaining travel documents for newborns due to the absence of a passport office at the Nigerian High Commission in Kigali.
Also speaking, Dr. Olugbemi Adekakan, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, expressed interest in extending his humanitarian and development contributions to Nigeria with government support.
Fatima Attahiru, Programme Manager of the Timbuktoo Africa Initiative at the United Nations Development Programme in Kigali, assured the President of her organisation’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in human capacity development and skills acquisition initiatives.
Former Nigerian-Canadian basketball star and President of the Dallas Mavericks, Masai Ujiri, also pledged support for the development of Nigeria’s sports infrastructure.
Ujiri told the President he had successfully developed the Zaria Court, an integrated sports and hospitality complex in Rwanda, and expressed willingness to help transform Nigeria’s sports sector into a viable investment-driven industry.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, informed the gathering that the agency had designed diaspora-focused programmes aimed at encouraging Nigerians abroad to contribute to national development.
