Continental chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Europe, Dr. Bashiru Obasekola has said over $25 billion has been contributed to Nigeria’s economy by Nigerians living outside the shores of the country.
Specifically, he revealed that NIDO have contributed to the economy through investment in real estate, Nollywood, agriculture and several other sectors.
Obasekola spoke on the sidelines at the weekend during the 20th anniversary of NIDO held in Abuja.
He explained that NIDO will not relent on its advocacy for Diaspora voting, adding it will meet the 10th National Assembly to remind them to take their advocacy serious.
“Disapora voting 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”.
He applauded the new administration on the removal of subsidy, stressing that if is not benifitting the people, it is better to remove the subsidy.
According to him “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”.
Obasekola however expressed optimism that the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu may consider diasporan in the new cabinet.
“we are expecting because 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 said.
He observed that the 20th anniversary is unique, saying “we have supported charities, small and medium scale enterprises and also show ourselves as a part of the new beginning for diaspora organizations in Nigeria”.
