Tourism
Dabiri-Erewa Applauds Diasporas Contributions To Nigerian Economy As Diaspora Remittances Increases
Olushola Okunlade Writes
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has commended Nigerians in the Diaspora on the rise of remittances in the first quarter of the year, by 20.3 per cent, representing the seventh consecutive quarterly increase in diaspora remittances since last quarter in 2020.
In a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa said that increase in remittances by Nigerians abroad which has played a significant role in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has a great impact on the socio-economic growth of the country
She said, “As the world recovers from the global pandemic and confronts instability of many kinds, we want to honor the efforts of all those who continue to support their loved ones despite the challenging circumstances.”
According to the NIDCOM boss, the recent figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed an increase in remittances in quarter one of 2022 to $5.16 billion from $ 4.29 billion same period in 2021.
Also, the ‘Naira 4 Dollar Scheme’ created by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2021, attracted $2.4 billion in diaspora remittances within eight months, surpassing the figure reported in 2021.
She said NiDCOM will continue to push for more engagement with our diaspora who are an indisputable economic factor and are becoming an investment factor in the country, noting that many Nigerians abroad are investing in agriculture, real estate, health, education, and ICT, amongst others.
Dabiri-Erewa implored all stakeholders to continue engagement for Diaspora Voting with the National Assembly to amend relevant sections of the law to enable INEC to do the needful.
She assured Nigerians abroad that details of the Nigerians Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF) will soon be unveiled as a platform for structured diaspora investments, just as Diaspora mortgage and housing facilities are some of the programs being introduced by NIDCOM for the welfare of the citizens abroad.
Similarly, 33 states now have State Diaspora Focal Point Officers with Abia setting up Abia Diaspora Agency, while Edo and Enugu are almost set with their own agencies just as Ondo and Anambra states have Commissioners.
She also described the Diasporans as a valuable asset worth more than the billions of naira they sent home as remittances as they are contributing immensely to national development through training and capacity development.
Stressing that no nation can develop without its diaspora, she emphasized the need for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to work together.
It is expected that by the end of the 2022 financial year, the remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora from official sources would have increased from its current $22 billion to about $25 billion.
Olushola Okunlade Writes
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians In Diaspora Commission has called on all participants at the European Union and International Organisation for Migration joint Management Workshop to make use of the knowledge impacted on them to join the fight against irregular migration.
This appeal was made in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the Workshop, focused on Lessons Learnt From Migration Management Programmes held from 2020-2022.
Dabiri-Erewa encouraged all stakeholders to come together and complement the efforts of the government in their own individual capacity by giving their best regardless of the National Situation.
“Migration is a natural phenomenon that cannot be stopped. However, irregular migration must be tainted and we all have a role to play.”
“Now that we are better informed, I appeal to us to take migration issues with utmost concern. The President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has repatriated over 10,000 Nigerians from Libya and other countries”
“IOM has also done a lot in this regard, yet there are still many Nigerians out there crying for help. Let us all give our contributions to curbing irregular migration by using the knowledge learned here and sensitizing our immediate society.” Dabiri-Erewa appealed.
European Union (EU) Representative Eleni Zerzelidou commended the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM for being proactive in dealing with migration issues and urged the commission to take part in the sector of Fintech and Integration, noting that the commission has the potential.
The workshop was an EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Integration.
Olushola Okunlade Writes
The Nigeria healthcare system will ultimately become a centre of medical hub with a major investment deal coming to the country, through the establishment of the Africa Medical Centre for Excellence (AMCE).
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) stated this in Abuja while receiving Mr. Brian Deaver, the CEO, AMCE, and his team who paid her a courtesy call on Wednesday in her office.
Noting that a number of Nigerian professionals in the healthcare industry were beginning to invest in the sector in Nigeria, the NIDCOM boss said that the volume of Medical facilities planned for the centre, it will go a long way to reduce brain drain of medical professionals and a game changer in medical tourism.
Dabiri-Erewa added that having NiDCOM on board as a partner, will help attract Nigerian medical personnel working in the Diaspora to tap into their expertise and capacity building
“With the assemblage of this wonderful team, I am optimistic that the project is already a huge success. I therefore assure you of our support and partnership in this regard”, she said.
She added that if the vision and mission of the project are fully implemented as conceived, it will not only revamp the current situation of Nigeria’s health sector but will change Nigeria to a centre of destination for medical tourism.
Dabiri-Erewa, however, advised that there should be provision for the treatment of the less privileged in society so that the facilities will be for all categories of humanity.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa seized the opportunity to congratulate Dr. Aisha Umar, the Chief Medical Officer of AMCE on her latest appointment, describing her as one of the best in the health sector.
The NiDCOM Boss gave the assurance of the Commission’s readiness to work with AMCE group, as a Technical Committee will be created for that effect.
Earlier, Mr. Brian Deaver, the CEO of AMCE, introduced his team of experts and said that the project is a world-class medical service hub aimed at providing efficient healthcare delivery in Nigeria, especially in Cancer and Cardiovascular related treatments.
According to him, the establishment of the Centre in Nigeria will reverse the flow of external medical tourism, estimated at six billion dollars annually.
With the ongoing project in Nigeria, Deaver said that over 1000 Nigerian medical and non-medical staff will be recruited.
He said that the centre will be one of the many world-class cancer treatment and diagnosis centres to be built in Nigeria with over $700 million in funding support from an Afrexim bank
Speaking in the same vein, Dr. Aisha Umar, the Chief Medical Officer of AMCE said that the group has been enthusiastic about partnering with Africa in Healthcare delivery with the pilot business in Abuja, Nigeria in the next two years as well as providing excellent training for medical personnel.
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