THE DIASPORA, AN ECONOMIC AND AN INVESTMENT FACTOR- NIDCOM BOSS.

By Helen Udoh-Abuja

To kick-start the 4th Edition  of the  Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has addressed the media ahead of the Annual event in Abuja.

Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa describes the Nigerian Diaspora as an established economic factor and becoming an investment factor imperative. In her words, “ We always talk about Diaspora Direct Investment. We should also be talking about Diaspora Direct Investment “,This was contained in a press statement signed by Gabriel Odu
Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit in Abuja.

The NIDCOM Boss added that this event is being organised following the government’s current emphasis on providing unprecedented support for the small business sector, agriculture, and massive infrastructure development.
According to her, this year’s theme  is ” Diaspora  Partnership and Linkages  for Post-COVID Economic Growth”, which is scheduled to hold on the  16th and 17th of November, 2021, with Vice President , Prof Yemi Osinbajo , declaring the hybrid conference open.

Areas of focus include Agribusiness, Education, HealthCare, Creative, Entertainment & Sport, Infrastructure & Real Estate, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, ICT & FinTech and Oil & Gas.

Also, Dr. Badewa T. Adejugbe-Williams,  the Summit Coordinator, called on both private sectors and small medium enterprises to seize the opportunity, as the experience gained will help boost business growth, innovation and networks.

According to the Summit Coordinator, “NDIS is a private sector initiative backed and enabled by government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).  The primary aim of this initiative is to demonstrate that at a time when competition for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is at its fiercest, targeting Nigerians in Diaspora for inward investment is probably the best strategy, particularly in the light of a heightened risk profile for the country”,
This year’s event will also host a Diaspora Housing Fair , where Nigerians in Diaspora will be availed of various opportunities to own their homes in Nigeria seamlessly.