Nigerians head to London for Diaspora Global Conference 2018

Nigerians in the Diaspora will converge on the British capital on 26-28 July to mark this year’s Diaspora Day, the first time the annual event will be held outside Nigeria.

According to Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), many important personalities from the worlds of politics, business and academia in Nigeria have confirmed their attendance at the annual event.

Among those expected in London at the ‘Nigeria Diaspora Global Development Conference 2018’ are Hon. Rita Orji, chairperson of the Diaspora Committee, Federal House of Representatives; Olukayode A. Pitan, Managing Director of the Bank of Industry;  Senator JKN Waku, Pro-Chancellor and the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Prof. Clarence Ayodele Mawo Lakpini, Director of National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; and Senator Sa’idu Dansadau, the National Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).

 

Nigerian diplomatic missions in Europe will be represented by HE George Adesola Oguntade, High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom; HE Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Ambassador of Nigeria to Germany, HE Godwin George Umo, Ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See; and HE (Mrs.) M.Y. Katagum, Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Paris, France.

Keynote speakers include Prof. Mercy Olufunmilayo Adesanya-Davies, linguist, poet, educationist, activist and presidential aspirant at the 2019 polls.

Among the issues that will be deliberated upon during the 3-day event, are

– Jobberman Diaspora Job Placement in all sectors of the Nigerian economy

– Diaspora Investment, Know-how and Knowledge Transfer

– US$20 Million Diaspora Housing Investment Fund

– Diaspora Enrolment in the National Identity Number Scheme

– Promotion of Nigerian Start-Ups, IT hubs and Indigenous software development

Gbandi said the conference presents a rare opportunity for the Diaspora to engage “in constructive and interactive sessions” with key decision makers at home to promote projects, collaborate on ventures and propose investment schemes.

Two major events earmarked for the Diaspora Day 2018 are the launching of the the $20 Million Diaspora Housing Investment Fund and the flag-off of the pre-enrolment of Nigerians in Europe in the National Identity Database which is a condition to be issued with a National Identity Number.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede, has announced that anybody without a National Identification Number would not be able to procure Nigerian passport. The condition applies to both first-time applicants and those renewing their expired passports. This is why it’s important for every Nigerian, both home and abroad, to get enrolled in the National Identity Database.

READ ALSO Registration of Nigerians in Europe for National Identification Number Takes Off

The 3-day event will be rounded up by a Gala Night-Hall of Fame Celebration at which Nigerian Diaspora achievers will be honoured. Nigerian-born, Germany-based new media comedian, Meli Black, will join the all-star line up for the evening.

NIDOE is calling on Nigerian organisations in the Diaspora to actively participate in the activities marking the Diaspora Day 2018. “I am already excited and looking forward to a robust, productive and collective engagement at the historic event,” Gbandi said.

Femi Awoniyi

Information for Participants

Nigeria Diaspora Global Development Conference 2018

Date: 26-28 July 2018

Venue: CEME Conference Centre, Marsh Way, Rainham, Essex, RM13 8EU, East London, UK

Contact: Mr Abiodun Ogunsakin (General Secretary – NIDO Europe),

Coordinating General Secretary – NIDO Worldwide

Email: secretariat@nidoeurope.org

Registration: http://www.nidoeurope.org/diasporaconference/