Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerian residents in Qatar to identify programmes and projects they can invest in Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call in a goodwill message on Friday at the Annual General Meeting with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Qatar, led by its president, Victor Ikoli.
The former presidential aide said the present administration needs the support of everybody to channel development and growth to the country.
"Let me also use this opportunity to encourage the executives and the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Qatar to continue to work assiduously to support the development of Nigeria. You can do this as individuals, small groups or as a whole, by identifying programmes and projects that you can implement in Nigeria, with NiDCOM being readily available to assist, believing we can achieve a lot more when we work together,” she said in a message read out at the meeting by Gloria Ochoche, Welfare Officer 2 of NIDO Qatar.
Stressing President Muhammadu Buhari’s three-point agenda to the Nigerians in Diaspora, she said: "You are our ambassadors and the face of our country to the world through your actions and character. You must excel and be the best in all your endeavours in your host country, and do not forget home, Nigeria.
"It’s on this three-point agenda that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission was established, to harness the resources, skills and talents of Nigerians in the Diaspora, for national development. This is in our enlightened self-interest, as only Nigerians both at home and abroad, can develop Nigeria for Nigerians.”
Ikoli, meanwhile, thanked the NIDCOM Chairman for identifying with NIDO Qatar and assured her that Nigerian residents in Qatar will be good ambassadors, and also find ways to establish startups in different sectors of the Nigerian economy. He said some Doha-based Nigerians have already invested in different sectors in Nigeria in the field of tourism, healthcare services, educational services and farming.
Addressing Nigerians at the meeting, Ikoli said: "I call on well-meaning Nigerians to be part of the group as it is the desire of NIDO to serve as a platform through which the tremendous expertise, skills and resources, as well as the patriotic spirit of the Nigerians in the Diaspora, could be effectively and efficiently harnessed for Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. As you are all aware, Nigerians in Diaspora are the country’s biggest asset and no longer oil. We must unite and see the organisation like our own, join us in making Nigeria great. The task is not only for the executives but for all Nigerians.”
During the meeting, a five-man electoral committee was set up under the leadership of Dr. Nelson Orie of Qatar Anti-Doping Lab, to organise elections new executive members.
Dr Arabo Ibrahim Bayo, Board of Patron, NIDO-Qatar and senior consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Hamad Medical Corporation, gave a historical background of the organisation and how it functioned effectively without an embassy. He praised the current executive members for their commitment and urged compatriots to support the organisation in achieving its targeted goals.
Consular at the Embassy of Nigeria, Abubakar Musa, who has just resumed duty, promised to work and collaborate with NIDO on consular issues and matters concerning Nigerians.
Presently there are just over 11,000 Nigerians living in Qatar who are professionals in different sectors like oil & gas, engineering, construction, health and safety, medicine, teaching, and academia.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call in a goodwill message on Friday at the Annual General Meeting with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Qatar, led by its president, Victor Ikoli.
The former presidential aide said the present administration needs the support of everybody to channel development and growth to the country.
"Let me also use this opportunity to encourage the executives and the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Qatar to continue to work assiduously to support the development of Nigeria. You can do this as individuals, small groups or as a whole, by identifying programmes and projects that you can implement in Nigeria, with NiDCOM being readily available to assist, believing we can achieve a lot more when we work together,” she said in a message read out at the meeting by Gloria Ochoche, Welfare Officer 2 of NIDO Qatar.
Stressing President Muhammadu Buhari’s three-point agenda to the Nigerians in Diaspora, she said: "You are our ambassadors and the face of our country to the world through your actions and character. You must excel and be the best in all your endeavours in your host country, and do not forget home, Nigeria.
"It’s on this three-point agenda that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission was established, to harness the resources, skills and talents of Nigerians in the Diaspora, for national development. This is in our enlightened self-interest, as only Nigerians both at home and abroad, can develop Nigeria for Nigerians.”
Ikoli, meanwhile, thanked the NIDCOM Chairman for identifying with NIDO Qatar and assured her that Nigerian residents in Qatar will be good ambassadors, and also find ways to establish startups in different sectors of the Nigerian economy. He said some Doha-based Nigerians have already invested in different sectors in Nigeria in the field of tourism, healthcare services, educational services and farming.
Addressing Nigerians at the meeting, Ikoli said: "I call on well-meaning Nigerians to be part of the group as it is the desire of NIDO to serve as a platform through which the tremendous expertise, skills and resources, as well as the patriotic spirit of the Nigerians in the Diaspora, could be effectively and efficiently harnessed for Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. As you are all aware, Nigerians in Diaspora are the country’s biggest asset and no longer oil. We must unite and see the organisation like our own, join us in making Nigeria great. The task is not only for the executives but for all Nigerians.”
During the meeting, a five-man electoral committee was set up under the leadership of Dr. Nelson Orie of Qatar Anti-Doping Lab, to organise elections new executive members.
Dr Arabo Ibrahim Bayo, Board of Patron, NIDO-Qatar and senior consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Hamad Medical Corporation, gave a historical background of the organisation and how it functioned effectively without an embassy. He praised the current executive members for their commitment and urged compatriots to support the organisation in achieving its targeted goals.
Consular at the Embassy of Nigeria, Abubakar Musa, who has just resumed duty, promised to work and collaborate with NIDO on consular issues and matters concerning Nigerians.
Presently there are just over 11,000 Nigerians living in Qatar who are professionals in different sectors like oil & gas, engineering, construction, health and safety, medicine, teaching, and academia.