Elder statesman, Chief Livinus Okwara, has said no nation can succeed without good leadership, unity, knowledge and collective purpose to chart a path for the nation’s transformation and economic growth.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos ahead of his forthcoming coronation as the Nnandigbo in Diaspora, Chief Okwara called on Nigerians at home and abroad to play active roles in rebuilding the country through the acquisition and transfer of knowledge that will lead to industrial growth and community support.
He emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck as Nigeria prioritises people’s basic needs like food, shelter, education and industrialisation, if it is to attain global respect and economic growth.
“Before we think of atomic power, we must feed ourselves first. Nigeria is about what to eat, where to live, and how to survive through commerce and industry,” he said.
Speaking further, the 80-year-old statesman highlighted that decades of service and international exposure has positioned him as a cultural bridge between Nigeria and the diaspora.
The Ambassador- at-large asserted that Nigerians abroad are a vital source of knowledge in today’s global knowledge economy.
“I haven’t been in Nigeria for 80 years for nothing. That means I have seen it all, heard it all, and achieved much,” he said.
Okwara called for an aggressive and strategic engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora, whom he described as soldiers for national progress.
“No matter where you find Nigerians from the smallest village to the highest tower in China, they are acquiring knowledge in Agriculture, engineering, education, and even how to fix a radio. Everything is knowledge, we must capture it and bring it home.” he stated.
Meanwhile, he proposed as part of its cultural role the establishment of liaison offices for the preservation of languages across major continents including America, China, Asia, and the West Indies to support and integrate Nigerians abroad.
He said, “These would offer language assistance, food access, cultural orientation, and serve as hubs for knowledge transfer and national advocacy as Nigerians will no longer be strangers anywhere in the world,” Okwara assured.
He, however, acknowledged the challenges many Nigerians face abroad from financial instability to cultural barriers while stressing the importance of institutional support.
Chief Okwara lauded the reforms and bold policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying they lay the groundwork for diaspora engagement and national transformation.
“He changed the face of Lagos and he is prepared for the job, even if the policies seem harsh, they are falling on fertile ground,” he said.
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