Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has called for the establishment of an Agency under Nigeria Diaspora Commission, that will exclusively check remittance of funds to Nigeria at zero fees.
In her goodwill message during the Annual General meeting of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe, held on today, November 16, 2020, Akande-Sadipe, who chairs House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs posited that this will drive more remittances to the country.
Akande-Sadipe said all hands must be on deck and concerted efforts to put in place to harness Diaspora remittances and potentials towards the development of the nation.
“Nigerians in Diaspora have been a major force for development in the country through remittances, but beyond remittances more importantly, a need for promotion of trade and investments, innovation, knowledge and technology transfers”, she said.
She opined that it is important to ascertain why the impact of recorded huge diaspora remittances is not visible in our economy, stressing that there is need to put measures in place to ensure accountability and transparency for Sustainable National Growth and Development.
The Oluyole Federal Constituency Representative said if properly harnessed, opportunities exist in Housing, Health, Education Power and Water, which the federal Government needs to harness.
She said, “We need to re-invent and develop strategies on how to mobilise Diaspora remittances and this can be achieved by taking a que from other countries who have succeeded at it”.
She called for development of projects, to harness the potential of diaspora remittances for poverty reduction and local economic development. “Mass Housing developments, small scale industries projects and even Diaspora bond created to achieve Sustainable Economic Growth and Development for our nation, Nigeria”.
She also assured Nigerians in diaspora of the House of Representatives’ support for enfranchisement of Nigerians living in the Diaspora, adding that “we all know that the Nigerian living outside the country have as much stake in the present and future of Nigeria as those of us who live here”.
“I wish to assure our diaspora citizens of the readiness of the 9th assembly to partner with all relevant stakeholders in formulating policies that represent Sustainable National Growth and Development”, she said.
She therefore called for unalloyed support of Nigerians living in diaspora for the project, ‘Nigeria’.
“It is my desire that at this summit, every stakeholder would have something to cheer in the project called “Nigeria” and equally be satisfied that a NEW DAWN in Diaspora Relationship for the nation is NOW”.