The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, revealed that the Nigerian government is working on a policy to reintegrate Nigerians of African descent. He shared this information during a meeting in Abuja with a delegation led by Professor Archbishop Chidiebere Anelechi Ogbu, the President of the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU).
Akume also praised the significant contributions of Nigerians living abroad to the advancement of their host countries’ economies and technology.
Akume promised the delegation that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and AfriDU would work together on a plan to bring Nigerians of African descent back to Nigeria. The delegation, made up of Nigerians from South America, the USA, and Canada, expressed their desire to invest in Nigeria. However, they asked the government to make them feel welcomed and grant them Nigerian citizenship.
He declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his approval for the hosting of a significant Homecoming Event organized by AFRIDU in collaboration with NiDCOM. The event is scheduled to take place in Abuja in October and is anticipated to bring together more than 2,000 individuals of African descent. Dr. Andre Moriel McClerklin, the AFRIDU Ambassador to the United States and Canada, expressed the strong determination of diaspora descendants to reconnect with their Nigerian roots.
He stated, “We are prepared to bring all that we have with us, our business capabilities, financial portfolios, intellectual properties, spiritual richness, and all that we have learned in the lands of our captivity.”
Moriel further stated their readiness to regain what has been lost in terms of land, language, and culture, emphasizing their desire to reconnect with their Nigerian heritage.
Ayanna Khan, the CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for their willingness to engage in investment discussions.
She noted, “I represent hundreds of businesses in Delaware, and we are excited about the opportunity to bring our capabilities, innovations, and ideas to Nigeria. We want to do business in Nigeria with our family and be judged by our capabilities, not the colour of our skin.”
AfriDU is a civil society organization that acts as a central organization for various African diaspora groups. Its primary goal is to foster unity and integration among Africans living in different countries, promoting a sense of brotherhood and belonging.
, George Akume, revealed that the Nigerian government is working on a policy to reintegrate Nigerians of African descent. He shared this information during a meeting in Abuja with a delegation led by Professor Archbishop Chidiebere Anelechi Ogbu, the President of the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU).){kind=link}