President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday challenged
Nigerians in Diaspora to be agents of change, development and proponents of
national economic emancipation and unity and that they should invest in the
proposed Centenary City by building
Declaring open the 6th Nigeria Diaspora Day celebration in
Abuja, the president also urged them to respond positively to the invitation to
return and contribute to the development Nigeria.
Represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the president
enjoined them to become a part of the nation’s collective efforts in building a
better future for present and future generations of Nigerians.
“The task of taking Nigeria to the pinnacle of development
comparable to the major industrialised nations is a task for all of us, not
least Nigerians in Diaspora.
“There is no better time than now and there has been no better opportunity than as currently presented for you to become a part of our collective efforts in building a better future for present and future generations of Nigerians.
“There is no better time than now and there has been no better opportunity than as currently presented for you to become a part of our collective efforts in building a better future for present and future generations of Nigerians.
“Today Nigerians in Diaspora must be agents of change and
development and proponents of our economic emancipation and unity.
“Your wealth of experience, when effectively harnessed will
go a long way in moving us to our desired and deserving position.
“There are so much more happenings in today’s Nigeria and I
urge you to make the best use of your time here.’
The president reiterated the determination of the Federal
Government to continue to partner with Nigerians in Diaspora in uplifting the
quality of life of all Nigerians.
“We must together re-strategise our approach toward greater
cooperation and stronger partnership.’’
He called on Nigerians in Diaspora to actively participate
in the ongoing activities and programmes to celebrate Nigeria’s 100 years of
existence as a geo-political entity.
He advised them to invest in the proposed Centenary City by
building their own Diaspora village.
“The Centenary City, an expansive state-of-the-art private
sector-driven trade and investment theme complex, is part of this initiative.
“Nigerians in the Diaspora can come together, build and own
their own Diaspora village within, which can include events centers hosting
future Diaspora conferences, and indeed showcasing other initiatives.’’
The president said that the various reforms and programmes
being implemented under the Transformation Agenda had started yielding fruitful
results.
“We have rebalanced our spending in favour of capital
expenditure. The rate of inflation also dropped to single digit territory at
the beginning of this year.
“At a time many advanced and emerging markets are being
downgraded, our sovereign credit ratings have been steadily upgraded.
“Our port reforms are achieving efficiency in the handling
of cargo and related businesses. Our goal is to achieve 48 hours clearance time
for cargo.
“In the power sector, the privatisation of our electricity
generation and distribution companies is in progress, with significant foreign
investors participating.
“Our railroads and major airports are also being
comprehensively renovated and extensively expanded.
“Diversifying our economy away from the oil sector into
agriculture, housing, manufacturing, creative industries and other sectors that
generate jobs and grow the economy, is another fundamental and smoothly
on-going goal of our transformation agenda.’’
President Jonathan said that his administration would
continue to create an enabling environment to attract both foreign and local
investors.
According to him, government is also strengthening the
nation’s democratic institutions and confronting with great determination and
firmness, the challenges of insecurity across the country.
He said the issues of governance and corruption were also
being “vigorously tackled on all fronts’’.
The president commended those Nigerians in Diaspora who had
responded positively to the call for greater involvement in nation building.
“You should be very proud that your remittances and
investments in our fast-growing stock market, real estate and other business
ventures, education support, capacity building and humanitarian activities,
most especially the medical missions are all increasingly impacting on
individuals and communities across our country,’’ he said.
In their separate remarks, the Secretary to the Government
of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, and the Chairperson, House of
Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa,
commended the Nigerians in Diaspora for their immense contributions towards
transforming the country.
The 2013 Nigeria Diaspora Day Celebration, with the theme:
“Diaspora Nigerians – Agents of Investment and Development’’, attracted
hundreds of participants from across the world. (NAN)
- See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/fg-urges-nigerians-in-diaspora-to-invest-in-centenary-city/#sthash.lb1iOZS5.dpuf
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