NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA ARE NOT IMPORTANT

Welcome to another edition of THE AMBASSADOR MAGAZINE. In this issue, we looked at Nigerians in the Diaspora, their challenges and the Government’s reluctance to engage them positively or as Chief Osuchukwu said, ‘recognize the untapped goldfield’ in the Diasporas for the development of the Nigeria.

Nigerians in the Diaspora have come a long way. Their exploits in foreign lands are legendary. Records show that Nigerians began emigrating to other climes over 200 years ago. Some left their homes by direct and others by zigzag routes, but all in search of gold or pastures green. And in their search, some flew high, some low and some had their wings clipped. But the Nigeria spirit in them did not die and they have all made meaningful contributions to the development of their fatherland. That’s the grace in every Nigerian in the Diaspora.

Nigerians in the Diaspora are many and spread out throughout the four corners of the world. Some reside in friendly countries and some live in not too friendly countries where hostility is their baptism. However, many found opportunities that eluded them back home and made good use of them. Some of these Nigerians wouldn’t have made it had they remained at ‘home’.

In the hasrsh conditions they found themselves abroad, they persevered and worked hard to put food on their respective tables and still send money home to support their families and by extension the Government of Nigeria. Unfortunately the Nigeria Government don’t appreciate the good work these patriotic Nigerians are doing from outside Nigeria. They only care about the millions of dollar in remittances that flow into the country every day. And yearly, the same Government that do not care about the Diasporas reel out statistics regaling in the remittances the ‘Diasporas’ generously pump into the economy.

The Government see Nigerians in the Diaspora as a ‘crowd’ for rent anytime, any day. The truth is that the leadership in Nigeria don’t want the Diasporas; they only want their remittances.

In Government circle, Nigerians in the Diaspora exist but they are not important. Many countries with large Diaspora population take steps to maximise the benefits flowing from that source . But in Nigeria, it is a big deal even to harness the abundant Diaspora human and material resources for the development of the country. In their holes, Nigeria ‘Power Merchants’ daily sell the idea that the Diasporas are mere travellers who don’t have much to offer in terms of skills and expertise. Nigerians in the Diaspora are only important when Government officials visit any of the countries they reside and want a crowd to promote their unending and often questionable trade missions.

Nigerians in the Diaspora do not want a twenty one gun salute; neither do they want red carpets laid out for them at airports. What they want is that their efforts and hands on participation in the political and economic processes in their homeland be recognised. In their Policy Document ‘Developing a Road Map for Engaging Diasporas in Development’ published in 2009, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Migration Policy Institute wrote: Since 2001 an increasing number of developing countries have established Ministries whose explicit purpose is to address the needs of Diaspora populations.

Twenty-six of the countries examined have a separate Diaspora Ministry. Twelve of these Ministries are dedicated solely to Diasporas. But in Nigeria it is the opposite. The Government don’t even have a ‘solid’ Diaspora Policy let alone an Agency or Ministry to implement the policy.

The greatest gift Nigeria has given to her Diaspora citizens is a Committee for the Diaspora in the House of Representatives. Nigerians in the Diaspora don’t have the right to vote in elections in Nigeria. When the Members of the National Assembly travelled all over country consulting on the Review of the Constitution, Nigerians in the Diaspora were offered a token visit in London. The Peoples’ Public Session did not hold in public place…with unfettered access and an opportunity for every citizen to participate’. As the National Conference is about to commence, Nigerians in the Diaspora are also likely to be excluded. They are not included in the Advisory Committee.

The travails of the Diasporas have been long and tortuous. In government circle they are despised for ‘leaving home’. They earn undeserved opprobrium, particularly those who did not make a killing abroad. But, one thing you can- not take away from them is the love they have for their country. The Diasporas stand out and can fit in too. Let us celebrate them.

What‘s your opinion, let the debate begin.