GUARDIAN

Yar’Adua Woos Nigerians in Diaspora

From Ernest Chinwo in Calabar, 07.26.2008

President Umaru Yar’Adua yesterday called on Nigerians in diaspora to make meaningful contributions to the country in order to achieve the goals of vision 2020.
 While declaring open the Third Nigeria Diaspora Day and Fourth Science and Technology Conference at Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Yar’Adua noted that two months after being sworn in as President and during the second conference last year in Abuja, he pledged to continue to strengthen the cooperation between the country and Nigerians in diaspora.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of National Planning, Senator Sanusi Mohammed Dagash, said during his trips outside the country, he   has always stressed the need for  unity in order to transform the country, adding that the presence and participation of Nigerians in diaspora at the conference showed that they share in the desire for the country to become one of the world’s largest economies in the next 20 years.
He said his administration had created a conducive environment for investments and urged those with the capacity and means to invest in the country.

dding that the conference was intended to see how Science and Technology could contribute to the development of the country.

He noted that the conference has the potential to transform the mechanism for mobilization in and outside the country as it would set the frame work to set the goal for vision 2020 which is not the end in itself but provides unlimited opportunities for the country to redefine its programmes. The President remarked that the attainment of vision 2020 will ensure a resolve to curb energy crisis, food security as well as afford the country the opportunity of exporting its services to other countries, adding that it will also ensure improvement to the Information communication highway, efficient management and service delivery, good roads, airports, seaports, improvement in housing needs, educational and health within limited resources with strict adherence to due  process  and rule of law. 

He disclosed government’s determination to reduce poverty and create opportunities for millions of unemployed youth and minimize the challenges ahead where each person can achieve his aspiration and encourage those outside to come home, adding that it will be an illusion if talented and exposed Nigerians in diasporas fail to yield to the clarion call of the nation. The President hoped that the conference will proffer solutions which will be sent to the National Assembly as a bill on vision 2020 project.

The acting governor of Cross River State, Hon Francis Adah in his address, said the theme of the conference “Utilizing Science and Technology to Drive Vision 2020” is of great relevance to the state because it is a platform towards realizing its Millennium Development Goal (MDG), adding that being the first conference outside Abuja, Cross River will stand to derive some benefits from its decisions because government is passionate in its desire to transform the  state with its focus on science and technology.

Adah said the conference should be able to arrive at ideas which will be of great advantage to all as well as be able to create jobs for 20 million unemployed youths as the time to plan is now. The Minister of Science and Technology, Chief (Mrs.) Grace Ekpiwhre in her Key Note Address Tagged “Utilizing Science and Technology to Drive Vision 2020” said all should join hands to ease the pains of today while working for the gains of tomorrow, stating that the conference is not only an annual event but an opportunity to improve and work out modalities to achieve vision 2020.  “Let use set aside cynicism, and strive for the good society that we know is within our reach. We should jettison the habit of low expectations of ourselves as well as our leaders “she said, adding that “the Nigerian Factor” should be done away with and build a society worthy of all especially the children because Nigeria has the talents, intelligence and ability.  She noted the role of Science and Technology as catalyst to development as one can not exist without the other, noting that rather than send money abroad, Nigerians should promote local investment by creating jobs and wealth.  The Minister for Special Duties, Elder Godsday Orubebe said the conference will afford Nigerians and Nigerians in Diaspora the opportunity to interact and cross fertilize ideas and he enjoined those in attendance to explore the mechanism which is bound to provide opportunities for development as well as attainment of vision 2020.  Orubebe noted that the conference would also provide avenue for government to call for more actions and commitments by Nigerian living abroad to invest in the country.  A representative of Nigerians in Asia , Mr. Richard Egnoeze said they are working assiduously to ensure that Nigeria takes its place in the comity   of nations while partnering the Federal Government’s 7 Point Agenda thereby placing the country in the world economic map through Vision 2020.

 Eguoeze encouraged Nigerians to invest and collaborate in developing the economy while urging leaders in the country to exploit the potentials of Nigerians living outside the country.

 The National Coordinator Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) Ambassador Joe Keshi in his welcome address said the decision to hold the conference outside Abuja was to create opportunities and exposure for Nigerians in Diaspora to be aware of the potentials within the states, adding that the result is expected to be a collective achievement.

Keshi remarked that the conference is expected to be a partnership and collaboration which will create infrastructure for development.