Osinbajo, Others Commend Dabiri-Erewa On Diaspora Investment Summit
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other speakers on Thursday applauded Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other stakeholders for organising 2019 Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS).
They spoke at the second day and final day of the Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Villa, in Abuja.
Osinbajo in his address titled: “The How’s of Bringing In Resources from the Diaspora”, emphasising that the focus should not just be on beckoning on Nigerians in Diaspora to invest at home, but how to go about it and promote marketable means.
“The theme of this second summit is clearly meant to be complimentary, which is: Leveraging the Diaspora Resources for Economic Growth. So my brief today will focus on the ‘how’s’ of bringing in diaspora resources.
How do we bring in diaspora resources? How do we mobilise the resources of both the Foreign Direct Investment and the Portfolio Investment, and how can we effectively market these vehicles.
“Also, should we not have some suggestions on the findings of the problem? There is a particular running of the problem, of which I have taken quite a few ideas. But the question has been raised on some of these studies-‘how do we explore the prospects of international cooperation to make the mobilisation of assets across borders easier…,” he said.
Centering his speech on a survey done by Aaron Terrazz, titled; “Diaspora Investment in Developing and Emerging Capital Markets”, the Vice President stated that the study addresses the concrete issues surrounding Nigeria, its diaspora, investment and Capital assets.
Also speaking at the event, the Senate President, represented by Senate Chairman on Diaspora Matters, Senator Surajudeen Basiru, commended Hon. Abike Dabiri for bringing her expertise, passion and vision on how best the country can tap into the plethora of resources available in the Diaspora. He vowed that the Senate would bring more reforms that would be beneficial to the Diasporians, following the take-homes at the end of the Summit.
Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tolulope Akande Sadipe, maintained that without the efforts of Hon. Dabiri Abike, Diaspora matters could not have been perceived as a serious issue.
She expressed her optimism that the second NDIS will be a start of many successful and positively robust outings in the future, relating to Nigerian Diasporians.
Also, the Kebbi State Governor in his good will message thanked the NIDCOM Chairman, and stated that his second attendance of the summit is a clear indication that Kebbi is ready for business and support NIDCOM in whatever capacity.
Dominic Obeta Asogwa, standing in for the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, (NIS), Mohammed Babandede OFR, congratulated the CEO of NIDCOM. He urged foreign investors and Diasporians to take leverage on some of NIS’ packages, such as the Migrant e-Registration, Investment Visa, which will guarantee ease of doing business in the country.
The MD of Bank of Indurstry, Prince Niyi Akenzua encouraged Nigerians home and abroad to invest in the various sectors of the economy, particularly in Agriculture, saying “a lot of us can be big players in the value chain. It is big enough for all of us”.
He advised Nigerians in the diaspora to come back home and take advantage of what is happening right now in Agriculture.
Another goodwill messages came from Mr. Peter Ashode, Group CEO, United Capital Ltd., who was the major sponsors of the event, and the only Nigerian Investment company listed internationally.
He lauded the efforts of the commission by launching the second edition of the event. He informed the members of the Summit that theirs is an array of opportunities Diasporas can leverage on.
On her part, Hon Dabiri-Erewa while thanking invited guests and participants
said the aim of the second edition was to usher in investors to fund SMEs in Nigeria. The NIDCOM boss supported the words of Prof. Soludo, who gave the keynote address on Wednesday, that Nigerians working with “other Nigerians”, would improve the various sectors in the country.
She revealed that the commission is planning to create offerings for Nigerians in Diaspora, to effortlessly do business in Nigeria, as well as other needs, such as the Diaspora Trust Fund, The Diaspora Mortgage, amongst others.
