FG pledges security, diaspora links, partnerships for devt

By Ochiaka Ugwu

N

igerian government has pledged its resolve to prioritize security, harness and engage Nigerian diaspora as a critical asset for national development, and deepening strategic partnerships anchored on mutual respect.

Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye who made this known at the weekend in a speech made at the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada, said that security remains a major challenge, but affirmed that the current administration was doing everything humanly possible to contain it.

In a press statement released in Abuja Sunday, signed by Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on Media and Strategic Communications, Richard Elesho, it noted that, “The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritizing security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a critical asset for national development, and deepening strategic partnerships anchored on mutual respect and trust.

“According to the statement, “The Minister stated that security remains a major challenge, but affirmed that the current administration is 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 noted that Nigeria is entering “a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy” with key international partners, including the United States.

““I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” the Minister said, adding that this strategic engagement is 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.

“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. No.

“On the contrary, we see you as a vital human resource with huge capacities for Nigeria which 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 Nigerian.

“He also acknowledged the role of Canada and other partners in fostering more productive partnership in the ways of mutual respect and cooperation going forward, and commended stakeholders contributing to Nigeria’s development.

“The Honourable Minister concluded by thanking the organizers 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,” the statement concluded.