President Muhammadu Buhari has called on African countries to create a strategic interface with Africans in the Diaspora abroad to address the challenges facing the continent in the new world order.
The Nigerian leader made this call in his keynote address at the second edition of the Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS) held in Abuja on Thursday.
President Buhari, who was represented by the minister of transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, stated that the theme this year was very apt and timely as African nations are looking towards the diaspora for continental development.
He equally stated that having Nigeria as this year’s host was very historic as the country was undergoing political transition to a new government which would benefit diaspora engagement in the country.
He said further that the majority of Africans in the Diaspora were making great impacts in various fields, adding the continent needs to key in to exploit the great potential of the Africans in the Diaspora for its benefit.
Buhari said globally, the Diaspora had become a force to be reckoned with, with regards to sustainable development of their varied homelands by regional bodies and national governments through remittances, medical missions, educational visits, tourism and investment opportunities.
According to a statement by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission(NIDCOM) President Buhari applauded the African Diaspora Alliance for the endless support while charging them to remain steadfast as a model platform of connection, among the African Diaspora and Africa’s Institutions and governments.
Driving it home he equally commended Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the State Diaspora Focal Point Offices across States of the Federation for their contribution towards the strategic action plan on diaspora engagement in the socio-political and economic development of our Nation, the statement added.
