Ladies and gentlemen, Honourable guests, esteemed colleagues, friends, neighbours, fellow Canadians and fellow Nigerians, it is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to discuss a topic of utmost importance – the role of Nigerians in the Diaspora in nation-building in our new Nigeria.
I wish to thank first and foremost the Board members and the Executive of the Nigeria Canadian Association NCA, ably led by our sister Ms Margaret Nwosu, for inviting me to speak at this 63rd Anniversary of Nigeria Independence Day (Oct 1, 1960).
On behalf of all Nigerians in Canada and at home in Nigeria, I also acknowledge the generosity and welcome hands of the First Nations peoples of Canada on whose ancestral lands, we step anywhere we are in Canada and those of all other Canadian immigrants with roots from all regions of the world the earliest of whom preceded our own late arrival in Canada and the rest of the new world by almost 6 centuries.
One of the most unique and enduring characteristics of Canadians is the awareness and acceptance of the fact that apart from the First Nations, we are all immigrants. Canada is a nation that not only espouses multiculturalism, she is a nation that practices not only in words but also in its deeds. Nigeria, our motherland, a country of 205 million citizens that is rich in human and natural resources, culture, diversity, and huge potential, is on the verge of a new era of growth and development. In this new era, the Nigerians in the Diaspora are of immense importance as we possess the potential to contribute significantly to our nation-building efforts. I wish to acknowledge the tremendous achievements of our fellow Nigerians living abroad. These individuals have not only shown resilience, determination, and ambition but have also excelled in various fields of human endeavour, earning accolades both in Nigeria and in their adopted countries. They have become trailblazers in academia, business, science, medicine, engineering, space exploration, ICT, architecture, sports, arts, and numerous other fields. They have carried our Nigerian identity and values to the international stage, enriching our reputation and fostering a sense of pride among all Nigerians. The last 3 censuses conducted in the USA have continuously shown that the most educated segment of the US population are their citizens and permanent residents from Nigeria. We are confident that a similar census exercise in Canada that examines nations of origin would rank Nigerians at the top or among the 3 groups of most educated Canadians. The Nigerians in the Diaspora are not merely individuals residing outside our borders; they are a powerful force representing our country on a global scale. Their successes serve as a shining light, attracting investments and opportunities to Nigeria. They possess skills, knowledge, and networks that can empower our nation, leading to economic growth, technological advancement, and social development. The remittances sent by Nigerians living abroad significantly contribute to our national economy
According to the World Bank, Nigeria received over $25 billion in remittances in 2019 and Foreign Direct Investment, making it the largest recipient from the Diaspora in Sub-Saharan Africa. These funds are channeled into education, healthcare, housing, and entrepreneurship and in improving the lives of our citizens and boosting our overall development. The financial support from the Diaspora bolsters our national resilience, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. Beyond economic contributions, Nigerians in the Diaspora possess valuable expertise that can be harnessed for the development of critical sectors in our new Nigeria. By leveraging their knowledge and experiences in areas such as technology, research, and innovation, we can bridge the gap between our current reality and our aspirations for a prosperous nation. Collaboration with the Diaspora presents opportunities for knowledge transfer, skill enhancement, and the adoption of best practices from around the world.
Furthermore, let us not overlook the role the Diaspora can play in strengthening the bonds between Nigerians at home and abroad. They act as ambassadors, building bridges between our nation and the countries they reside in, just like what I am currently doing as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigerian and Canadian Business Network (NCBN) and previously between 2001 and 2007 as the Chairman of the Nigeria in Diaspora in the Americas (NIDOA). The cultural exchange, intellectual dialogue, and cross-border collaborations facilitated by our Diaspora foster greater understanding, tolerance, and unity among Nigerians, regardless of geographical location.
To fully harness the potential of Nigerians in the Diaspora, we need to create an enabling environment through the Nigerian and Canadian Business Network (NCBN) which in collaboration with NIDO Americas and other Nigerian Business, Community and Religious organizations facilitate our engagement with the New Nigeria. We should establish mechanisms to leverage our expertise, foster partnerships, and facilitate our meaningful participation in national development initiatives. By removing barriers and bureaucratic hurdles, we can unlock the full potential of this invaluable resource, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to nation-building.
Nigerians in Canada and in other nations throughout the world are also major contributors to the economy and welfare of the fellow citizens in all of our adopted host nations. It is safe to say that there is practically no continent and no nation on Planet Earth that one would not find Nigerians who are working hard in their vocations, paying their taxes, while at the same time raising their children from birth to adulthood and contributing to the greatness of each and every one of our adopted host nations.
We are increasingly engaging ourselves in political activities at the local, municipal,Provincial and Federal levels of government. A Nigerian has served successfully as the Justice Minister of Alberta with the hope one day soon that Nigerians will be serving at Municipal Councils, as Members of Provincial Legislatures and in the Federal Parliament of Canada. We look forward to a day in the near or not too distant future when a Canadian of Nigerian or African descent would by virtue of his/her personality and skills become the Premier of a Province or the Prime Minister of Canada. I may quickly add that Diaspora Nigerians who are interested in participatory politics can also transfer their political acumen to the homeland by competing for political offices and by so doing influence the political direction of our home country. Nigerians in the Diaspora are not only important and indispensable to the nation-building efforts in our new Nigeria, we are also extremely committed to Canada.
Our achievements, remittances, expertise, and role as cultural ambassadors of Nigeria in Canada strengthen our nation's fabric and contribute to our collective well-being and those of our fellow Canadian citizens.
As we embark on this new chapter in our nation's history, let us recognize, value, and embrace the Nigerians in the Diaspora as key partners in our journey towards a prosperous, united, and developed Nigeria.
In conclusion, I wish to dedicate this speech to the most important Nigerians in the audience today and at home with their parents and caregivers throughout Canada and the rest of the world. These young folks, including those who have just been born earlier today will one day inherit the Earth.
It is our collective responsibility to shape their lives, nourish them not only with food and drinks but also ensure they are well educated not only in schools but also at home. The responsibility for passing on the intricacies of Nigerian culture and values is primarily our duties as their Nigerian parents! How they succeed and become firmly rooted in Canada and elsewhere in the world, before and long after we have departed this realm depends largely on the positive seeds we sow in their minds while we are still here! Thank you.
