We’ll Continue to Defend the Interest of Nigerians Worldwide- Buhari
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President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will continue to defend the interest of Nigerians wherever they may be.
President Buhari stated this assertion in Nairobi, Kenya, at a Townhall Meeting with a group of Nigerians resident in the country.
While Nigeria begins the evacuation of her citizens from Ukraine, the President said his administration had continuously demonstrated its determination to protect Nigerians from harm’s way, as in Libya and South Africa when the government evacuated those stranded there.
He commended the diasporans in Kenya for the unity among them, and living peacefully with their host communities, urging them to respect the laws and be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
President Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffery Onyeama, reiterated that it was the determination of the current administration to forge a partnership with the Ambassadors-at large towards building the country together that led to the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM.
He expressed delight that the Commission had been engaging the diasporans and had also come up with laudable programmes that would appeal to them.
The President said Nigeria would expect their willingness to give back to Nigeria some of their resources, talents, skills, and global exposure in the development of the country.
He encouraged the Ambassadors to key into the programmes of NiDCOM, especially the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, whose mandate is holistic for all Nigerians abroad, adding that the platform would assist them to expeditiously contribute to the development of their fatherland.
President Buhari assured them that the administration was forging ahead with the provision of critical infrastructure for the collective prosperity of all, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and activities of terrorists.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs, Abike Dabiri-EOrewa appreciated the Ambassadors for honouring the invitation, urging them to register with the Commission to have an up-to-date database of them for easy interface, adding that working with them, the Nigerian government will build the country of their dreams.
Dr Nicholas Ozor, the President of Nigerians in Diaspora, Kenya, expressed appreciation to the President for always meeting with them when in the country, saying that such has boosted their morale.
Dr Ozor however requested the President to intervene in the stoppage of visas on arrival for Nigerians, delay in getting student permits, obstacles to ease of doing business, and undue negative profiling of Nigerians.
