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Frontline APC aspirant for the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, Senator, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, says it’s time Nigeria shifts focus to investment to create an environment that will attract Nigerians in the Diaspora to come back and live.
The professor of law and former governor of Edo State made the observation while speaking as a special guest at the International Conference of African Descents in Diaspora and the formal launch of the African Diaspora Union, Nigeria, which took place on Thursday, November 2, 2023 in Abuja.
The two-time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said he meets several Africans in the Diaspora on his many trips across the globe who desire to return to their origins and live, adding that the only way to facilitate this is through investment, which will create the initial structures, create wealth, and create a conducive environment that will attract them.
Holding the audience spellbound with dexterity and in-depth knowledge of the subject, Senator Osunbor praised Nigeria for its several efforts to encourage citizens in the Diaspora to return to the country, which inspired the establishment of the Honourable Abike Dabiri-led Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), harping on the need to shift focus to investment as a major facilitator.
He said, “I want to welcome all of you to this first international conference of the African descents in the Diaspora and the formal launch of the Afridu, Nigeria chapter,” said Osunbor, who is the Afridu Special Envoy to Nigeria.
He continued, “Let me welcome all of you, particularly those who have travelled from different places to attend this conference. It shows the interest that all of you have in the people of African descent globally coming together as Kith and Kin to brainstorm together as to how to improve our position in the scheme of things globally.
“I have enjoyed the privilege of travelling to different parts of the world, and I get to see people of African descent in the Diaspora. Even though many of them have spent well over 30 years and have become bona fide citizens of those countries, they still yearn to be back in Nigeria. Nigerians who have been abroad say that in the last 10 years or so, they feel that home is home; there is no better place than home; only our home is good enough and conducive enough.
“It is even more so for other Africans in the Diaspora who find themselves in the Diaspora by accident or history through no fault of their own. They hear things about Africa; they hear stories as to how other Africans in the Diaspora, who find themselves in the Diaspora by accident or history through no fault of their own, They hear things about Africans; they hear stories about how their great-foreparents were forcefully taken out of Africa to what is now known as the Diaspora, and they long to return to their origins, which inspired the popular television series “Roots”. I am sure that the older generations here will remember the Roots documentary.
“This is just to give you an idea as to the level of interest that Africans in the Diaspora have in having a conducive environment back home for them to return to their roots.
“The government of Nigeria, I know, has been doing a lot to encourage the return of Africans in the Diaspora back to Africa and Nigeria in particular. It is what inspired what was called Festac ’77. I believe many of you here remember Festac ’77, which was the festival of black people in the Diaspora, which took place in Nigeria.
“Another major step taken by Nigeria in this direction is the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, which has the Honourable Abike Erewa Dabiri as its chief executive.
“A lot of the efforts in the past have begun to promote social interactions, songs, and dance, which we all enjoy, and of course, entertainment. Our people are very good at entertainment, but it is time now for us to shift focus to investment, because it is through investment that we will be able to create wealth, create the initial structures, and create the environment that will attract people in the Diaspora to come to Africa and live.”
The event was graced by top Nigerian and foreign dignitaries, including the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike as Chief Host, and Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in the Diaspora, Honourable Abike Erewa Dabiri, as one of seven Special Guests.