From Our Correspondent
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has secured strategic collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-NIGERIA) on diaspora engagements.
TheNewsZenith reports that the collaboration is particularly on youth empowerment to deepen socio-economic development of the country.
USAID will also partner with NIDCOM on the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations.
Both sides reached these agreements when the USAID delegation visited the NiDCOM office in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation, NIDCOM Chairman Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, remarked that the collaboration was timely.
She said the contents of the collaboration align with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The agenda, she said, is intentionally about sector reforms and youth empowerment.
Dabiri-Erewa told the team that NIDCOM “serves as a vintage linkage, encouraging the Nigerian Diaspora to invest at home”.
She emphasised that although the Federal Government through the Commission, has set up projects to engage with its Diaspora.
“There is still a critical need to establish infrastructures and enabling environment for investments by Nigerians in the Diaspora.”
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Dabiri-Erewa assured that the partnership between NIDCOM and USAID is pivotal to massive Diaspora engagement and investment.
“The Nigerian Diaspora is an important asset to our nation. Through this partnership with USAID, Nigerians will celebrate their achievements and present opportunities to invest back home,” she said.
Melissa Jones, Country Director of USAID, who led the delegation, said the US Agency was passionate about empowering local partners and NGOs for skill and talent development.
Jones further proposed a structured relationship between NiDCOM and USAID for future projects. She discussed beneficial opportunities for the public and private sectors in Nigeria.
She remarked that the Diaspora is needed for development in Nigeria. According to her, many competent professionals in the US are Nigerians.
Jones noted that it would be an opportunity for the Nigerian government to relate strategically with its citizens abroad.
The Country Director expressed willingness to support the NIDCOM through partnership at its Diaspora Day and other key events.
She said the commission should engage with the US President’s Advisory Council for active participation at the 2024 National Diaspora Day.
Both parties agreed on a consensus for a strategic think-tank to flesh up cooperation and collaborations, moving forward.
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