By Ikenna Uwadileke

Nigerians under the aegis of Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corps (NIDMECORP) have urged the incoming administrations, both at the federal and state levels, to give Diasporans appointments.

The President of the group, Mr Alistair Soyode, in a statement he issued on Friday blamed the exclusion of Diasporans from key positions, boards and constituted authorities as one of the reasons for Nigeria’s slow path to development.

According to Soyode, appointing Diaspora Nigerians in Ministries, Departments Agencies (MDAs) and parastatal agencies would strengthen governance and leadership in the country.

He said that Nigerians in the diaspora played major roles in the 2023 elections in the country and described it as a first among many which significantly stood for justice, fairness and equity.

“With more than 20 billion dollars remittances yearly, they are not just an economic powerhouse but contributors to the wellbeing of the citizens,’’ he said.

He urged the various incoming governments to see the call as a policy direction that would strengthen the country using the best of its citizens outside the country.

“We are very excited that the Diaspora community has one of the best brains not just for the benefits of Nigeria but of their host nations, adopted or country of birth whilst still having a major affiliation to Nigeria’s development and growth, economically, professionally and otherwise.

“The yearly remittance contributions to families and projects or supporting and sponsoring programmes created the Nigeria we have today.

“Having them in policies and government programmes will help boost knowledge, skills and increase the GDP as well as local resources for the affected areas.

“Examples of Nigerians doing well can be seen at the recently acclaimed successful coronation of King Charles, where the security arrangements and schedules were led by DC Ade Adelekan, among others.

“The Diaspora Nigerians have shown total commitment to Nigeria’s development which also brings to the table the yearly Diaspora Day event in July where Nigerians from all over the world come home to discuss, deliberate and find ways to empower millions.

“The government at all levels must be more proactive to utilise such events to secure the willing partners into all boards, ministries and parastatal agencies.

“It is by showing the political will that others will be partners freely and joyfully extend hands of business and professional skills.

“President Muhammadu Buhari approved and put in placed the Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and I pray the incoming government will provide the needed structures, resources and policies for its full implementation and execution.

“This commission can deliver more with the needed resources and it is Nigeria as a nation that will gain from her services, international reach and global partners of our Nigerians in the Diaspora which shows the principles of participatory democracy as experienced outside the country,’’ Soyode said.

He said that it would amount to a positive leadership and political inclusion to have each ministry, agency, commission and parastatal agency with at least one Nigerian in Diaspora on in the board.

According to him, diasporans appreciate such gestures and policies.

Soyode also said that the inclusiveness of Diaspora Nigerians would be a departure from lack of future planning and fear of diaspora leadership into a new era of global Nigeria dominance with skills and experiences, making Nigeria the choice destination of economic growth.

“We urge local government chairmen, state governors and the incoming president to extend appointments to diasporans without delay.

“The whole nation has about 1500 commissioners and ministers not taking into account the other MDAs while there are more than 15 million diasporans and surely they will contribute immensely to speed the developments on all aspects of the nation.

“NIDMECORP, on behalf of Nigerians in Diaspora, positively demands justice, fairness and equitable representation for the benefits of Nigeria’s fast development.

“We reiterate and call for this inclusiveness and full invitations to the best of our brains to come home on a three, six or nine months to one-year sabbatical working leave for Nigeria.

“Few of our best are now positioned in globally recognised institutions, companies and organisations,’’ Soyode said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kingsley Kubeyinje

By Joy Odigie

Guinness Nigeria Plc says it is ready to collaborate with Edo Government for empowerment of women, as well as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in schools.

Its Managing Director, John Musunga, made this known on Thursday in Benin, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

Musunga said that Guinness team in Benin would work with Edo Government on the partnership arrangement for the empowerment of women into its “Plan W” women’s empowerment programme to create more jobs for Edo people.

“You got the right team to address the issue of school TVET, park beautification and logistics. We can craft responses shortly as to what we can do in the medium and long term,” he told Obaseki.

He said that doing business in Edo had been fairly stable, commending the Obaseki-led administration for its infrastructure development.

“For the last six years, we have seen infrastructure development. You have lit up the streets and movement is much easier.

“We did not have disruption in Benin during the election cycle; we were still able to produce and move our goods across the country.

“Our business has been fairly stable in Benin and giving us the confidence to continue to invest here,” Musunga said.

He also intimated the governor about the company’s investment drives as well as corporate social responsibilities in the state.

“We have put in about four million pounds and we will be commissioning our new water treatment plant. It will be ready for full commissioning in the next few weeks.

“The plant treats about 80 per cent of all our effluent water and it is recycled back to a point where you can drink it.

“However, we will only be using it in ancillary functions like cleaning.

“We have the Water for Life programme and have given water to communities in Benin in the last 20 years. We are here to stay,” the managing director said.

He, however, noted that the issue of forex was a challenge to the company’s business investment plan in the country.

In his remarks, Obaseki said his administration was working round the clock to make the state conducive for investors to do business.

“As a government, we are encouraging people to come and do business in the state. We are putting a transport hub together; we are building parks to organise transportation better,” the governor said.

He said his administration was concerned about skills and capacity building, urging the Guinness Benin factory to adopt Western Boys High School as a TVET centre.

“We are emphasising TVET and you have a school opposite your factory which we would like you to adopt.

“We would like to build a TVET centre; we will like kids to go there, train kids who will one day work within your factory as senior engineers.

“We are trying to make our city beautiful and attractive. We are building more parks and greening the city.

“You have a park close to you; we can come up with a design so that you can adopt that space,” Obaseki said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

By Lucy Ogalue

The Group President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwumi Adesina, has called for inclusion of women in conflict resolution matters on the African continent.
Adesina made the call during the inauguration of the ultra-modern African First Ladies Peace Mission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He was represented by Mr Lamin Barrow, Director-General, Nigeria Country Department of the AfDB.
The AfDB boss commended Nigeria’s first lady, Dr Aisha Buhari, for her visionary leadership, drive, and dedication, which enabled the construction of the magnificent edifice within 12 months.
He said the building was emblematic of the critical leadership role of African First Ladies in fostering peace in Africa.
He said nothing works without peace and security. And there could not be development without peace and security.
”Many parts of Africa face huge security challenges from conflicts and wars, and 85 per cent of Africans live either in or close to a country in conflict.
”Africa is tired of wars and conflicts. I strongly support the African Union’s(AU) clarion call for silencing the guns.
“Women and children are disproportionately affected by wars and conflicts. Women refugees suffer from sexual assaults, violence, brutality, and criminality.
“We hear of the horrors of peacekeepers harassing and sexually assaulting women, and their voices are often silenced by those who are to protect them.
“Men make wars, women make peace. Women must therefore be included in peace-making, peace-building, conflict resolution, and reconstruction efforts. Sexually-based violence, abductions, forced conscription, and human trafficking against women must end,” he said.
According to Adesina, African first ladies are critical to African Leaders and the AU’s efforts to ensure a peaceful and secure Africa by 2063.
He commended the efforts of the first ladies towards addressing violence, promoting the role of women, fostering a culture of peace, and reducing conflict.
He said:“we have a collective responsibility to stand united in our efforts to resolve conflicts, break cycles of violence, and combat fragility.
“We must recognise a strong link between security, investment, growth, and development.
“That is why AfDB is working with the AU to develop security-indexed investment bonds to mobilise resources for addressing instability, protecting investments and livelihoods, and rebuilding infrastructure in conflict areas.”
The AfDB boss said the bank also supported vulnerable and internally displaced women in refugee camps across the Sahel region.
He reiterated that the African first ladies peace mission had an important role in addressing conflict and fragility and building resilience.
He then expressed the bank’s commitment to supporting the groups’ efforts and maintaining a strong partnership with the organisation.
”Together, let us champion the cause of peace across Africa. Let us redouble our efforts to support women in areas of fragility.
“From the halls of this worthy edifice, let the interventions and clarion call for peace usher in new seasons of sustained stability, development, and prosperity across Africa.
“Let peace reign in every village, community, town, city, nation, from the Sahel to the horn of Africa, from the north to the south, from the east to the west. Across Africa, let peace reign,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza