Nigerians living abroad are not criminals, says Akande Sadipe

By theGazetteNGR

Editorinchief

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 6:39 PM, Updated: September 21, 2022 at 7:46 AM

‘We are not criminals but 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’

Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House of Representatives Diaspora Committee, has stated that Nigerians in Diaspora are not criminals but people who contribute value to the globe.

She stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the National Diaspora Policy by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

Nigerians in diaspora are making great contributions all around the world, according to Akande-Sadipe

‘a large number of those in diasporas are professionals with specialization in all fields of human endeavor, 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 our diasporan’s 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 countryâ€™s national image abroad.‘ She added.

An successful Diaspora Policy, according to the Chairman, will provide a framework for promoting commerce and foreign direct investment, as well as promote entrepreneurship and the transfer of new technology and talents.

Nigeria is the largest beneficiary of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the lawmaker, and so there is a need for better coordination and regulation of diaspora remittances to contribute positively to the country’s social and economic growth.

‘I would like to congratulate the Nigerians
in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the able leadership of Hon. Abike
Dabiri-Erewa for the tireless effort towards articulating a clear policy
direction to effectively utilize, support and engage the diaspora for
National Development’ Hon. Tolulope said in her remarks. In all
we do, we must remember our trafficked Nigerians in the diaspora, who
are living in horrific conditions.

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The
Chairman went on to congratulate the State Diaspora Focal Point
Officers on their accomplishments in their mandate of leveraging the
human capital and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora for the
country’s overall socio-economic, cultural, and political development.

She then instructed them to be tenacious in their pursuit of more collaborative efforts from the public servants.

‘I
encourage you all to continue to work with NiDCOM and the various
Committees that have been set up to ensure an effective and sustained
diaspora engagement for National Development’.

‘I would also
like to use this opportunity to assure you of the total support of the
House Committee on Diaspora and indeed the House of Representatives’ She spoke.