The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended Nigerians in the United States of America for their dedication to the country’s growth and development.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, while speaking at a joint virtual meeting organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigeria Centre in Washington, urged the Diaspora Community to consistently draw attention to national issues, especially recent developments in the country.
He noted that the country is undeniably experiencing serious violence in some parts of the country, but what is needed now is not discordant tunes but concerted, focused, and driven efforts to stem the tide.
Gbajabiamila emphasised that cooperation, not blame, will be key to resolving the crisis.
He recalled how Americans resolved ... 9/11 crisis, urging Nigerians to unite against insurgency, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, noted that claims of “genocide” were misleading, stressing that the challenges were rooted in regional conflicts.
He added that ‘misdiagnosing’ the issue would inevitably lead to ineffective solutions.
Tuggar highlighted contributing factors, such as the collapse of Libya under Gaddafi, the failure of the EU–Sahel strategy, and past restrictions on the sale of arms to Nigeria.
He stressed that Tinubu’s administration is committed to realising the 4D Agenda of Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM and facilitator of the virtual conference, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said this cooperation was essential because conversations always foster deeper understanding.
Dabiri-Erewa, while appreciating the participants, concluded that all discussions and recommendations would be compiled and a communiqué would be submitted to the President through the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Gbenga Ogunjimi, from the Nigerian Centre in Washington, who moderated the event, stressed that the Nigerian Diaspora represents the nation’s global communities, and therefore, Diplomacy must go beyond a government-to-government interface.
He emphasised the key role Nigerians in the US could play, particularly in recent developments between both countries.
Representatives of key Diaspora Groups urged stronger collaboration between the global Nigerian community and the government to join hands in finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced by Nigeria.
They pledged their commitment to support whenever they are called upon.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for the forum’s continuity, urged clear identification of the issues at hand, and recommended strategic, Nigeria-focused lobbying mechanisms.
About 15 Diaspora groups, represented by their leadership, participated in the forum across the US.