Foreign
THE Federal Government says July 25 of each year will be celebrated in recognition of the contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to national development and to celebrate Diasporans who have achieved feats in various fields of endeavor.
Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), announced this in a statement on Mondayin Abuja.
He said National Diaspora Day is also aimed at reviewing areas requiring improvement, encourage interaction and dialogue on matters relating to the Diaspora.
He said NIDCOM in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Alumni Network (NiDAN) is organising the 2019 National Diaspora Day Celebrations.
The celebration is themed: “The Power of the Nigerian Diaspora for National Development”.
According to him, the event will take place at the PTDF Conference Hall, Central Business District, Abuja, starting at 8 a.m with registration of delegates.
The statement also quoted the Co-Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr Sule Bassi, saying the Nigeria Diaspora Day 2019 will start with the arrival of delegates, accreditation and registration on July 24.
He further said the Formal Opening and Technical Sessions will hold on July 25 at the PTDF Conference Hall, Abuja.
Speakers slated for the conference include Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum; Amb. Mustapha Suleiman, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM.
Other speakers include Prof. Manny Aniebonam, Chairman AfriHUB Nig Ltd; Prof. Hakeem Tijani of NOUN; Mr Kenneth Gbandi of NIDO; Prof. Grace Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, and Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, among others.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, will declare the Diaspora Day open, which has sub-themes as “Integrating the Diaspora into the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)’’, and “The Nigerian Diaspora: Returning to Serve’’, he said.
Speaking on others invited to grace the occasion, another Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Abdullahi Dauda, said corporate bodies, relevant ministries, some state governors and investors within and outside the country are being expected.
Dauda said that this year’s Diaspora Day will focus on five major areas such as Oil and Gas, Education, Health, Agriculture and Power.
Dauda added that a registration portal had been opened in the last one month for members in the Diaspora to register, noting that the feedback is “wonderful’’.
-NAN
BE
JULY 23, 2019 14:05 GMT
Tags: National Diaspora Day holds July 25
