The Federal Government at the weekend said that President Muhammadu Buhari plans to exploit the expertise of Nigerian professionals living abroad in its fight against corruption.
The President spoke at the 2015 Diaspora Day in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mrs. Ibukun Odusote.
She said the aims for the conference were clearly defined in a way that would support and enhance the change agenda of the President.
On how Buhari intended to engage the Diaspora in the corruption war, she said, “The idea is to leverage on their expertise and experience out there, which means that, as we have in this conference, some of them are experts being called all over the world to give their lead presentations on corruption.
“They have successfully helped some other economies to get themselves out of corruption, and they are Nigerians. So, we have an expert in that field that will be coming to Nigeria to speak in that area at the conference. We want to leverage on their expertise”.
“You can find a lot of them, specialists and experts, in their various fields, making name for themselves and for Nigeria. We want to get an advantage of their experience out there in their global assignment.
“Number two is that we want to lure them into coming back to Nigeria and contribute to national development. Thirdly, we want them to contribute to the economic development of Nigeria even while they are out there.
“We want them to invest in Nigeria; we want them to attract investment in Nigeria that can bring expansion in the change agenda of Mr. President”. She added
Another idea of the Diaspora conference, Mrs Odusote said, was to ensure proper documentation of the many Nigerians out there that are not yet documented anywhere.
She said, “We are talking about those that should be documented legally in their positions and they are making waves. They are doings things that are unique in all their endeavours and exploits. They have cue that are unparalleled even by the nationals of the country where they are.
“So, the overall objective is that we have a direct relationship with them. We know who they are, we know where they are, we know how they are faring and then we take care of their welfare to be sure that they are not maltreated where they are.
“We would want to also impress on them that they too will obey the rules of the countries where they are. Essentially that is what this conference is all about”. She added
Odusote noted that a roundtable discussion programme which would focus on investment opportunities in Nigeria is also scheduled to hold on Monday ahead of the diaspora conference billed for tomorrow.
Also, Buhari has said the Federal Government would not fund pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
He spoke at the Kaduna International Airport yesterday while launching the inaugural hajj flight to Saudi Arabia.
Reprsented by Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the President said the coordinating committee for the hajj would be funded by the service charge which pilgrims paid to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II will head the committee while the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya as well as Dr Ibrahim Datti Ahmed will serve as members.
Buhari also reiterated the position of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs that Hajj would add value to the nation’s economy if it is properly organised.
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