The Member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency and Chairman, Diaspora Committee of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has said that Nigerians in Diaspora are not criminals, rather quality individuals, who are adding value to the humanity worldwide.
Akande-Sadipe stated this today in Abuja at the launch of the National Diaspora Policy by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
She said, “We are not criminals but a people who are adding value across the world. Nigerian Adults and Children are making their positive mark and contributions worldwide. Our positive narrative is greater than the negative. We and the world need to embrace that”.
The federal legislator revealed that Nigerians in diaspora are making their positive mark and contributions the development of the world.
According to her, “A large number of those in diasporas are professionals with specialization in all fields of human endeavour, including education, research, medicine, law, ICT, engineering etc. This represents a large pool of human resource capacity that needs to be effectively engaged and coordinated to promote national development. These people are changing the narrative, helping to showcase Nigeria as it truly is, showing that Nigeria is not a nation of criminals as some will want you to believe”.
“It may Interest you to know that one of the legislative priorities of the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives, as articulated in the Legislative Agenda of the House, is in the area of Human Capital Development and Social Investment; and one of the prioritized legislative actions, is to pursue reforms in our foreign policy to ensure the protection of Nigerians and Nigerian interests in the diaspora. Also, to harness the potential of the Nigerian community in the diaspora for development, particularly in the area of skills and technology transfer, investments and the promotion of the country’s national image abroad”, She added.
The Chairman also noted that an effective Diaspora Policy would provide a framework for the promotion of trade and foreign direct investment; create business opportunities and spur entrepreneurship, and the transfer of new technologies and skills.
Akande-Sadipe stated that Nigeria is the largest remittances-recipient country in Sub-Saharan Africa and therefore, there is need for effective coordination and regulation of diaspora remittances to contribute positively to the social and economic development of the country.
