Point News247 reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF).
President Buhari gave the approval at the presentation of a compendium entitled +600 Diaspora Icons @ 60, published by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) at the State House, Abuja.
NDITF is a private sector investment window with Nigerians in the Diaspora to support direct investments in the country.
Buhari said Nigeria is open to welcoming the Diaspora Direct Investment by compatriots abroad.
He also pledged support for the establishment of the Diaspora Intervention Fund to support the Commission to fulfil its mandate.
Buhari also pledged support for the establishment of the Diaspora Intervention Fund to support the Commission to fulfil its mandate.
He described the 327-page compendium as “a historical record of the worth of our compatriots globally’’.
Buhari added that the distinguished list in the publication is a reminder of what Nigerians are capable of doing to the delight of the global community.
Buhari said, ‘‘Irrespective of the few bad eggs among us, and every nation has such bad eggs, Nigeria remains a great country, populated by great people, living at home or abroad, making us proud.
‘‘This compendium attests to that fact and the names of people and the fields they have excelled speak about their resilience and how exceptional Nigerians, both at home and abroad, have become.
‘‘No one else will do so for us. Rather, other people will tend to capitalise on the few bad eggs and characterise us in their own narratives, narratives that seek to characterise us in bad light.
“We must not allow that to happen.
‘‘As we launch the compendium of excellent Nigerians today, we are also celebrating some of our best, nationally and globally.
‘‘I call on every Nigerian, irrespective of where they may be, to continue to be of exemplary behaviour and with determination to offer quality services that contribute to the progress of humanity.
‘‘Nigerians in the Diaspora are our Ambassadors-at-large by their character, comportment and daily actions.
‘‘They should be the best and excel in all their endeavours and they should ‘give back’ by contributing to the development of Nigeria.’’
Buhari commended the Diaspora Commission led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa for the energy and innovative steps they put together to ensure better engagements with the Diaspora Community.
The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa, In her remarks, said the idea of the compendium was inspired by the regular Diaspora Presidential Town Hall meetings.
‘‘The compendium is birthed out of the necessity to recognise, celebrate and showcase Nigerians in the Diaspora who are doing great things in their host countries and also contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria,’’ she said.