On Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari met with Nigerians living in Kigali, Rwanda, and praised them for their success both at home and abroad.
He claimed that in order for the economy to grow, the government is open to accepting contributions and investments from fellow citizens who have experience abroad.
On the sidelines of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the President addressed Nigerians living abroad (CHOGM).
“It is a great pleasure for me to be here in Kigali, Rwanda, and to meet with you, the Nigerian Diaspora, as part of my regular gatherings with Nigerians whenever I travel to other nations.
Let me start by congratulating and praising Yewande Adebowale for placing among the top four winners in the Commonwealth Youth competition at the Commonwealth Youth Forum’s Kigali Startup Festival 2022.
“I also congratulate Esther Olanrewaju and Favour Aderinto, who won the Lakshmi Subramanian CMU-Africa Student Excellence Awards for their work in electrical and computer engineering and master’s degrees in information technology, respectively.
I am proud of you all, and I will always be proud of the achievements of our Nigerian youths both at home and abroad, he said.
The Nigerian leader added that maintaining peace and abiding by local laws was crucial because it helps Nigeria’s reputation. He praised the professionalism of Nigerians living in Rwanda and the warmth of their interactions with one another.
Remember that while you are here, you are our ambassadors-at-large. By your actions and activities, people will read about and learn about Nigeria.
In order to develop our economy and build a country that is prosperous, peaceful, and meets the needs of its people, our government is committed to working with Nigerians both at home and abroad.
We are working diligently to ensure that all Nigerians, whether they are at home or abroad, are protected so they can feel safe and realise their full potential.
President Buhari noted that the creation of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has made it possible for Nigerians living abroad to seamlessly contribute to national development, particularly in the area of economic investment.
“Considering your global exposure, our agriculture, housing and real estate, ICT, healthcare, education, and services sectors, among others, are waiting for your inputs and investments.
He urged them, saying, “Let me urge you to key into the NIDCOM programmes to make your contributions,” and added that they should keep upholding the positive reputation of Nigeria by abiding by the laws of their host nation.
Ambassador Aishatu Musa, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, informed President Buhari that the country’s 400 Nigerians were “in various fields like banking, agriculture, education, telecommunications, and others” and that they were “generally well behaved.”
She added that Professor Umaru Wali, a Sokoto State native and dean at the University of Rwanda, was the president of the Association of Nigerians.
The following Nigerians interacted with the President during the event, which was organised by Chairman NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa: Kelechi Reginald, Chief Executive Officer of an investment firm; Uduak Udoh, who owns an architectural consultancy; Muyiwa Omololu, Managing Director of Rope Ways Transit, a company that manufactures cable cars; Favour Aderinto and Esther Olanrewaju, winners of
Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs, and Chief Sunday Dare, the minister of youth and sports development, were both present at the event.
