[quote]One of the people who have seen Nigerians come and go in London is Eddie Isebor. Eddie as he is fondly called, is a businessman. He is into food and hospitality business. His Afrcarb Restaurant in Finsbury Park, London, is the first Nigerian restaurant in London. Despite his busy schedule and customers trooping in and out of his restaurant, he still find time to talk about his bloved country, Nigeria and her citizens in the diaspora especially those living in the UK. Please, rad the interview below:[/quote]

Thank you for your time, Eddie.

Are Nigerians in the Diaspora really Important?

Nigerians in the Diaspora are very important. Check out what we’ve been doing individually and collectively in various states in Nigeria. We are important to Nigeria as a nation. We are important in relation to helping our respective families. We are important in the promotion of our culture, services and most importantly in raising the profile of Nigeria in places where we live and work.

Unlike before, people are now very much aware of us as a result of their interaction with Nigerians living abroad and it’s helping a lot.
Nigerians in the Diaspora are unashamedly doing the hard work of promoting Nigeria’s visible and invisible trade abroad.  For example Nigeria’s film industry (Nollywood) got where it is today internationally, thanks to the patronage of Nigerians in the Diaspora and their friends.

Food and hospitality businesses are other areas Nigerians in the Diaspora can assert their importance with pride and joy. Years ago, you hardly find any Nigerian food in the UK markets. But today, our foods are sold and eaten everywhere by people all over the world. The government didn’t do it,

Nigerians in the Diaspora did all that and we are still doing it superbly well with no support whatsoever from the government in Nigerian. And we doing much.

Should the opinions of Nigerians in the Diaspora count on issues in Nigeria?

Yes of course. I am not saying we are opinionated, far from it. You know, we learn from others. The knowledge, skills we have are very important for the development of Nigeria. I think we offer our opinions based on facts and not on any pecuniary benefits. There many Nigerians in the Diaspora who are willing and ready to offer their knowledge, skills, opinions etc.

On national issue free of charge but the question is; is the government ready for the free know how or opinion or do they want to go where they get billed?

Our opinions on national issues to say the least, are invaluable and government should have the confidence to ask. And surely it will be given.

How can the Government engage with Nigerians in the Diaspora in Nation building?

It is very easy to engage with Nigerians in the Diaspora. China is the envy of the world today because their former leader Chairman Mao had the foresight to seek the opinions of Chinese in the Diaspora. He even went the extra miles to invite them back home. Nigerians in the Diaspora are wonderful Knowledge Bank. But unfortunately the government do not want to tap into this bank for the d evelopment of the nation.
For example, look at the superlative work the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dr Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment are doing. The duo were members of the Diaspora community before they were invited to come and serve their country.

Nigerians in the Diaspora have made a lot of noise but unfortunately it fell on deaf ears and the country is today suffering. Many countries are leveraging on the opportunities offered by their people in the Diaspora, with the exception Nigeria.

It is easy to engage or partner with Nigerians in the Diaspora but the leaders must to be proactive and take the initiative because they have the machineries of government.