The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritising security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a critical asset for national development, and deepening strategic partnerships anchored on mutual respect and trust.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant, Media and Strategic Communications to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Richard Elesho, during an address at the dinner night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.
The minister, Amb Sola Enikanolaye, at the event, said security remained a major challenge, but affirmed that the current administration was “doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we contain these that have been with us in a multifaceted manner for the past 10 or so years.”
He said, “Nigeria is entering a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy with key international partners, including the United State.
“I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans.”
Enikanolaye said that the strategic engagement was aimed at delivering “core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians in terms of security, in terms of prosperity, in terms of defence and the welfare of the Nigerian people.”
On the Nigerian diaspora, the minister emphasised that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the government viewed Nigerians abroad not as a burden, but as vital contributors to national progress.
For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development. We don’t see you as a basket case of consular burden responsibilities always in need of government’s intervention and assistance.
“On the contrary, we see you as a vital human resource with huge capacities for Nigeria which the government is trying to harness in terms of our national development priorities,” he stated.
The minister called for stronger unity among Nigerians at home and abroad, urging citizens to break down barriers of ethnicity, religion, and tribe.
“We are aware of the trust deficit that exists among Nigerians, especially those of us abroad.
“Let’s try and break those barriers of ethnicity, barriers of religion, barriers of tribe, and let’s relate on the functional aspect of cooperation that promotes production, that promotes development, that promotes growth and prosperity unto Nigeria,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of Canada and other partners in fostering “more productive partnerships in the ways of mutual respect and cooperation going forward,” and commended stakeholders contributing to Nigeria’s development.
The minister thanked the organisers of the conference and the diaspora community “for celebrating the assets of Nigeria,” and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to work with all partners to advance the nation’s interests.
By: Gbenga Odogun
