By Joy Odor
The Continental Chairman of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization, NIDO Europe, Dr Bashir Obasekola has affirmed that Nigerians in diaspora contribute about 25 billion dollars remittances to boost the nation economy.
According to him, NIDO Europe also contributed to the economy through investment in real estate, Nollywood, agriculture and several other sectors while encouraging members to contribute more to the development of the real economy directly.
Dr Obasekola made this known in an interview with newsmen at the Week long 20th Anniversary celebration of NIDO Europe on Saturday in Abuja where delegates from all twenty three chapters across twenty two European countries converged to commemorate.
“This program is unique because we are celebrating our 20th anniversary, even though it was last year but we couldn’t celebrate it due to the consequences of COVID-19, we postponed it to this year to celebrate it in Nigeria by spending our money in Nigeria and enhancing the economy of the country. We have supported charities, small and medium scale enterprises and also to show ourselves as a part of the new beginning for diaspora organizations in Nigeria.
“Well, you will be reading about remittances in the papers from diasporans, we send money to our relatives regularly but beyond that we have contributed to the economy through investment in real estate, Nollywood, agriculture and several other sectors. About 25 billion dollars coming through diaspora remittances is no joke and we are encouraging our members to contribute more to the development of the real economy directly.
“There is a need to form ourselves into an organization whereby we can approach and take advantage of the pool of expertise for homeland development. From 2002 this vision has spread and today we have NIDO Europe, NIDO in America, in Africa, in Asia and in the Oceania.
“NIDO is Nigerians In Diaspora Organization, it is for homeland development. The essence of the organization created in the year 2000, started in the Americas and later in Europe. It was created by the then president Olusegun Obasanjo when he travelled and discovered a lot of Nigerians are doing great things outside the country.
,”I’m the chairman of NIDO in Europe where we have chapters across Europe and as you have seen from this event we have delegates from most of the European countries where we have chapters.
Speaking on subsidy removal that has negatively impacted Nigerians, Dr Obasekola informed that if the subsidy is not benefitting the people, it is better to remove the subsidy and push to agriculture or transportation that will directly benefit Nigerians.
“He said”giving our experiences in our different countries subsidy is not new in the countries of the world but what is the problem is the way and manner it is been handled. If it is not benefitting the people, it better to remove the subsidy that is benefitting other neighbouring countries and take it to another area such as agriculture or transportation that will directly benefit Nigerians” he stressed.
Also commenting on Diaspora Voting, the Continental Chairman of NIDO Europe opined that the members would be meeting the National Assembly to remind them that the new 10th Assembly must take diaspora voting seriously.
He said, this became imperative for Nigerians outside the country to be part and parcel of the political administration of the country to perform their civic right of voting.
Dr. Obasekola also believed that President Tinubu would give the Diaspora opportunity in his administration to showcase their expertise and experience at ministerial level and other capacities as head of MDAs.
“That has been our message in all the government MDAs we have been to since we came into the country. And next week we are going to the national assembly to remind them that the new 10th assembly must take diaspora voting seriously because it very necessary for Nigerians outside the country to be part and parcel of the political administration of the country. So, it important we perform our civic right of voting.
“You may recollect that while he was the governor of Lagos state, some of the commissioners were people from the diaspora. We expect that at the federal level he will also give opportunity to diaspora because we have a lot of expertise and experience. Some of the things we think are impossible in Nigeria, some of the countries have done them so with Nigerians in diaspora in the administration they can come over and say that the countries who have done those things don’t have two heads, with their experience we too can do it. I expect diasporan in this administration even if not at ministerial level but in other capacities as head of MDAs” he stressed.
