The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged citizens at home and abroad to join hands with the federal government by complementing its efforts to attain sustainable development.

The chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the advice while delivering the pre-convocation lecture titled “Diaspora Engagements for National Development” at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said the partnership could come, either as individuals or as a group, through any of the numerous government programmes.

She said, “No foreigner would do such for the country if her own people refuse to rise to her developmental challenges.

“The global exposure of Nigerians in the diaspora can be leveraged as a catalyst for national development. This is achievable, and NiDCOM is set to actualise this.”

For a start, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa suggested that ABUAD and Nigerians in the diaspora can collaborate by implementing staff and student exchange programmes through collaborative research that addresses global challenges and sabbaticals to Nigerian diaspora lecturers.

She listed the challenges facing the commission as the paucity of funds due to limited budgetary allocations, lack of befitting accommodation to house NiDCOM staff, and the huge trust deficit between Nigerians in the diaspora and those in the country and the government.

Afe Babalola (SAN), the university’s founder, described Mrs Dabiri-Erewa as a brilliant young Nigerian who deserved to be honoured.

Mr Babalola noted that she had, by her current responsibility and height attained, joined the league of great Nigerians.

“It may not be easy, but we will go far and fast if we all unite with a single purpose to develop Nigeria,” Mr Babalola added.

(NAN)