Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has enjoined Nigerians in the Diaspora to recognise and leverage Nigeria’s enormous potential.
Sanwo-Olu said that with the country’s rich resources, impressive talent pool, and skilled population, both at home and abroad, it had become imperative for them to come together and develop Nigeria for the benefit of future generations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this call while speaking at the “ConnectED Diaspora Fireside Chat 2024,” held on Thursday at the JK Randle Museum, Onikan, Lagos, saying that by celebrating and acknowledging the nation’s accomplishments, they were inspiring others to follow suit and ultimately contributing to the growth and greatness of Nigeria.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, said it was a thing of joy that young Nigerians were now moving back to the country to invest their money, talents, and knowledge, among others, based on the realisation that the country is safe for their investments, expressing the hope that the initiative would continue on a larger scale.
“We need to talk more about the good things that are happening in our country. We need to elevate our positivity. We need to appreciate our ingenuity and talents. As a people, we need to also appreciate our achievements and not always look at the negative part, there are a lot of good things happening in this land.
“I think these young men and women are noticing what some of us here don’t notice. So, it is a good thing that people are coming back home. They realize that Lagos is safe, they are moving around doing their businesses and they are realizing that it is a place where you can invest. Not just financially, but also materially, spiritually, and even in terms of community development, it has been high. So it is gratifying to see that,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed that Africa’s future is bright and the continent is poised to become the best place to be, saying that his optimism was rooted in Africa’s most valuable resources, especially her people who he said were bestowed with brilliant minds.
This, according to him, gives them the potential to unleash a wave of innovation and progress that is capable of driving the continent toward greatness, stressing that It was important for Nigerians to understand their history, culture, and tradition to enable them to compete around the world.
The Chairman, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her speech, urged Nigerians to believe in the nation, urging both Nigerians in the Diaspora and in the country to work together to build a nation that is comfortable for everyone.
“We are Nigerians. Let us believe and build our dear country. Nigerians in the country should work with Nigerians in the diaspora. Let us bring innovations back home that will help build a nation that is inclusive and great for everyone.” said Dabiri-Erewa.
Dabiri-Erewa assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) would continue to support Nigerians outside the country in achieving their goals and aims.
In his goodwill message, the Co-Founder, ConnectED Diaspora, Siji Abere, noted that the event highlighted the belief in the Nigerians in the Diaspora in their desire to return to a better Nigeria, driven by a passion to contribute to the country’s growth and development
“ConnectED Diaspora started on the basis that Nigerians are missing home and returning to a better Nigeria. As Diasporas, we are happy to be from a country like Nigeria, and this aligns with our dream of educating Nigerians with technological skills to empower them to do better for the country,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu hands over 260 patrol vans, bullet proof vests, others to Police
