by Mayowa Aboah
A high level Executive-Legislative team led by World Bank Managing Director, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is holding a series of interactive sessions with Nigerians in diaspora to support economic development in the country.
A statement signed by Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME) and Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed that the sessions are organized by the Debt Management Office, led by its Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo.
The meeting provided an avenue for Nigerians in diaspora to be update on the developments in the economy, the major achievements of the Transformation Agenda under the Administration of President Goodluck E. Jonathan and the opportunities available in Nigeria for Diaspora Nigerians.
Nigerians were also reassured of the developments in Nigeria with respect to the Ebola Virus Disease and the Government’s management of the situation. Participants expressed concern about the security situation and urged the government to do more particularly with respect to the return of the Chibok girls.
The value of remittances from Nigerians abroad in 2013 was $20.77 billion; for the first half of 2014 it was $10.40 billion. This includes contributions through remittances to their families, friends and communities, medical missions and provision of scholarships.
The delegation which was lead by the World Bank managing director also had key members of relevant committees in the National Assembly – Senators Ahmed Makarfi, E. Uzamere, Ita Enang and Honourables Adeyinka Ajayi, Famurewa Ajibola Israel, Abdulrahman Terab and Emmanuel David Ombugadu.
It will be recalled that Nigerians in the Diaspora have been seeking ways and means to contribute more to the country’s development. Through these sessions it is expected that they will be better informed about developments in the country and be encouraged to contribute in various ways to nation-building.
The meeting which was hosted by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, was attended by over 140 Nigerian professionals and will continue in New York, Washington DC and Houston between September 2nd to 4th, 2014.
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