Jonathan to engage more Nigerians abroad

[Punch]

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his administration's readiness to engage more Nigerians in the Diaspora in the development of the country as part of his transformation agenda.

A statement made available to journalists on Saturday quoted Jonathan as saying this through Vice-President Namadi Sambo at a dinner organised for Nigerians in the Diaspora at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday evening.

The foreign-based Nigerians were in the country for the sixth Diaspora Day celebrations, tagged "Diaspora Nigerians: Agents of investment and development."

The President urged Nigerians abroad not to relent in their efforts to make valuable contributions towards national development.

He said, "Like most developing countries in the world, Nigeria must leverage on the huge human capital of our nationals living abroad to impact on the development process at home.

"Our ultimate goal is to engage Nigerians with the requisite knowledge, expertise and financial acumen to join in the development of the Nigerian state irrespective of their country of abode."

He assured them that his administration would continue to sustain their partnership and that government was looking forward to receiving their recommendations, adding that all hands must be on deck to realise the goals of the transformation agenda.

"I wish to assure you of our unalloyed commitment to transform this country. We remain resolute in our chosen path in doing all that is necessary to achieve this goal. We will continue to create the enabling environment that would allow all those who desire the space to join in our national development endeavours.

"Our doors remain open to useful, patriotic and constructive suggestions that will assist us in bringing the dividends of democracy to the populace thereby transforming their standard of living and wellbeing," he said.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, congratulated Nigerians in the Diaspora for a successful week-long of activities, urging them to do more for their fatherland.

A 13-year-old visually-impaired author, Miss Adeife Adeniran, was quoted to have appealed for the strict implementation of the ideas and discussions that came out of the conference and urged youths to participate in future conferences.

The Punch