President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF), a private sector investment window with Nigerians in the Diaspora to support direct investments into the country.
President Buhari made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of a compendium published by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) titled, “+600 Diaspora Icons @60”.
President Buhari said, “The 327-page compendium is a historical record of the worth of our compatriots globally, the distinguished list in the publication is a reminder of what Nigerians are capable of doing to the delight of the global community.
“Irrespective of the few bad eggs among us, and every nation has such bad eggs, Nigeria remains a great country, populated by great people, living at home or abroad, making us proud.
“No one else will do for us. Rather, other people will tend to capitalize on the few bad eggs and characterize us in their own narratives, narratives that seek to characterize us in a bad light. We must not allow that to happen.”
He stated that foreign exchange remittances by Nigerians in Diaspora will greatly assist families and would enhance the development index in Nigeria.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated that the idea of the compendium was inspired by the regular Diaspora Presidential Town Hall meetings.
She said, “The compendium is birthed out of the necessity to recognize, celebrate and showcase Nigerians in the Diaspora who are doing great things in their host countries and also contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“The Commission plans to publish the compendium at regular intervals, towards changing the negative stereotypes typified by the activities of a few Nigerian who do not represent the country well.”
