Thread by @toluogunlesi

Madam @abikedabiri is briefing now at #StateHouseBriefing, about the work and achievements of @nidcom_gov
#AsoVillaToday

We speak of “Japa” as a one-way phenomenon, but we also have Nigerians constantly returning home. @abikedabiri is citing examples of Nigerians returning home, occasionally or permanently, to do interesting things, in Agriculture, Healthcare, etc. #StateHouseBriefing

.@abikedabiri: The hospital where the VP was recently treated was set up by Diaspora doctors. I’m not saying Nigeria’s not a challenging environment, but we must also acknowledge those who are coming back home to do impactful things.
#StateHouseBriefing

.@abikedabiri:

—@nidcom_gov Establishment Bill was assented to by PMB in 2017

—NIDCOM kicked off in May 2019

—Nigeria now has a Diaspora Policy, approved by FEC in April 2021.

—Federal MDAs now expected to have Diaspora Desks

—Diaspora Data Portal launched in 2021

.@nidcom_gov organises Nigeria’s National Diaspora Day on JULY 25 annually.

33 States and FCT now have State Diaspora Focal Offices and Officers

#StateHouseBriefing

Do you remember Zainab Kila—the Nigerian lady wrongfully accused of drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia (turns out a drug cartel planted drugs in her luggage at Kano Airport). @NigeriaGov worked hard to get her released, & she’s now a staff of @ndlea_nigeria: thecable.ng/zainab-aliyu-l…

President @MBuhari gave an instruction that every Nigerian stranded in Libya must be brought back. Many of these people have been stranded for years, even before this administration. Since PMB’s directive, over 10,000 Nigerians in Libya have been brought back home. — @abikedabiri

“Every Nigerian that was stranded in #Ukraine was brought back home by @NigeriaGov.” — @abikedabiri

Nigerians have also been successfully repatriated from Libya, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon, etc

#StateHouseBriefing

.@abikedabiri: There are currently 302 Nigerians in holding centers in the UAE, awaiting repatriation to Nigeria.

“You cannot go to other countries and break their laws, and expect that the laws of the land will not take their course.”

#StateHouseBriefing

.@abikedabiri: US$20 Billion in Diaspora Home Remittances to #Nigeria in 2021, while FDI was $4.8 Billion.

Because of the potential of the Nigerian Diaspora, we are now focusing on ‘Diaspora Direct Investment.’

#StateHouseBriefing

.@abikedabiri: Even if your destiny is abroad, you still need to go legally. There are too many pathetic stories out there. You don’t even hear most of the stories we are aware of. #StateHouseBriefing

.@abikedabiri: Insult me, insult government officials, even the President, if you want, but don’t insult your country. When you speak evil of Nigeria abroad you’re hurting yourself as well.

#StateHouseBriefing