Politics
EKPO Nta, a former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to promote the transfer of technology back to the country.
Nta made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe (NIDOE) liaison office.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also witnessed the presentation of awards to some distinguished Nigerians inducted into the first edition of the Nigerians Global Diaspora Hall of Fame.
The former ICPC boss said that the call for technology transfer became necessary following an understanding that Nigerians in the Diaspora had first-hand information on the latest technology.
He said that his engagement with NIDOE during his tenure as the ICPC chairman led to the signing of the first MoU between an anti-corruption agency and Nigerians in Diaspora.
Nta said that the MoU was to harness the opportunities created by the exposure of NIDOE members in the areas of technology and innovation to develop Nigeria.
“This Diaspora organisation that I have been involved with is a very welcome alternative to the noise we make about lack of progress in our country.
“There is a whole lot of progress going on; it’s just that we have not been able to focus on the positive things that are happening because we spend so much time on the negativities.
“For anybody who wants to see that we have made a lot of progress in this country, they should look at what Nigerians in Diaspora are doing abroad,” he said.
Nta said the NIDOE liaison office in Abuja would be an information centre for Nigerians seeking information on happenings in the Diaspora.
He added that the office would also serve as a contact point for NIDOE members wishing to invest in the country.
Nta commended the organisation for the award and pledged to offer free legal service to the NIDOE.
In his remarks, Mr Kenneth Gbandi, the Chairman of NIDOE, said the award was an outcome of the 2018 Nigerians Global Diaspora Development Conference held in London.
He said 100 Nigerians were inducted into the first edition of Nigerians Global Diaspora Hall of Fame Award and presented with the plaque at the conference.
Gbandi said that five of the awardees, who were not able to attend the conference in London, including Nta were inducted and presented their plaque in Abuja.
He said the criteria for the induction and award were based on personal and professional achievements, assistance to fellow Nigerians as well as financial and moral contributions to the realisation of NIDOE objectives. (NAN)
– Aug. 22, 2018 @ 13:15 GMT |
Tags: Ex-ICPC boss tasks Nigerians in Diaspora on technology transfer
