PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to contribute their expertise and resources to national development, saying the country is “on the rise again.”
Tinubu made the appeal on Thursday at an interactive meeting with members of the Nigerian community in Yokohama, Japan, on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
This was contained in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
The President said his administration had stabilised key economic indicators and was implementing reforms to attract investments, create jobs and improve infrastructure.
“I am happy to listen to you. I’m happy to report that many of our people are returning home.
“Yes, for economic reasons, some people might decide to stay away; it’s a fundamental right of the individual, but for the economic growth and opportunity available in Nigeria, don’t stay away.
“Your contribution is very much needed. If you stay away, who will build it?” the President stated.
He noted that the government had improved passport issuance, upgraded health facilities to reduce medical tourism and created a more business-friendly environment.
Tinubu stressed that nation-building could not be left to the government alone, urging Nigerians abroad to project the country positively.
“If we don’t join hands and work together, then we’ve lost the hope of being the leaders we are supposed to be,” he said.
The President invited the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, and the Executive Vice-Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, to brief attendees on government programmes and achievements.
Wale Tinubu, the President’s nephew, also spoke on how recent reforms have boosted business competitiveness, attracted investment and expanded the stock market.
The President of the Nigerian Union in Japan, Emeka Ebogota, thanked Tinubu for the engagement and affirmed the group’s support.
Other attendees included John Ologbotsere, a Japanese national award winner for electrotechnical standardisation; entrepreneur and investor Kingsley Kabuyashi; business people, doctors and students.
Also present were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Charge d’Affaires, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of Budget, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed; senior government officials and private-sector leaders.
