The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the African Descendants In Diaspora Union (AFRIDU) have mapped out plans to increase investment in various sectors to help revamp the Nigerian economy.
This was the crux of deliberations when a delegation of the AFRIDU from the United States and the Caribbean countries and the National Executive of AFRIDU Nigeria chapter, paid a courtesy visit to the chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her office on Monday.
The meeting was to expand discussions in a planned International Gathering in Honour of The Africans In the Diaspora 6th Region tentatively scheduled for October 2024, in Nigeria. It aims at bringing the best brains of Africans to improve the Nigerian economy and enhance its productivity using their diverse knowledge, skills and expertise.
The project is also aimed at creating a new narrative for Nigeria and Africa, and using the opportunity to boost the Nigerian economy through investment and making Nigeria a world tourist zone and pilgrimage centre for the Black world.
Welcoming the delegation, the NiDCOM boss assured the delegation of the Nigerian government’s “commitment to the welfare of the African Descendants globally including the global Africa Economic Investment Summit as part of its quest to support African Business and continental development.
“The Nigerian Government will provide the enabling environment at the best place in the world to invest because of its abundance of human and natural resources.”
“We will be glad to partner with you, we will be glad to work with you, we already have a planning committee.
President of AFRIDU Archbishop Prof. Chidiebere Anelechi Ogbu, in his remarks said “holding the gathering Abuja will be a trending massive welcoming Event similar to the “FESTAC 77” and will give All the Black peoples of the world outside Africa the opportunity to visit Nigerian Capital, with most of them visiting different States where they believe is their ancestral home which will usher in a great mass movement of the African Diaspora Experts, Investors, Professionals, Scientists, Entertainers, Academia, and people with diverse skills to Nigeria in the actualization of the Africans in Diaspora integration.”
He said further that the Global Investment Summit to be hosted by the AFRIDU was looking out for a favourable environment for investment, and the African Descendants investors globally are being persuaded by almost all the African countries to come and invest in their country.
Respected traditional ruler in Rivers State, HRM Alfred Diete Spiff, who was honoured as the custodian of the values encapsulated by the Diaspora groups, lauded the efforts of NiDCOM in responding fast to the issues related to Nigerians in the Diaspora and people of African descent.
