Toronto: The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritising security and harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a critical asset for national development. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, emphasized this commitment in a statement by Richard Elesho, his Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications. Enikanolaiye spoke at the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference on Saturday night in Toronto, Canada, where he also expressed the Federal Government’s pledge to deepen strategic partnerships anchored on mutual respect and trust to achieve the desired goals.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister stated that security remains a significant challenge, and the government is willing to do everything necessary to address it in a multifaceted manner. He mentioned that Nigeria is entering a new era of strategic autonomy with key international partners, including the U.S. ‘I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans. This engagement is aimed at delivering core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians in terms of security, prosperity, defence, and welfare,’ he said.
Regarding the Nigerian diaspora, the Minister highlighted that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the government views Nigerians abroad not as a burden but as vital contributors to national progress. ‘For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development. We see you as vital human resource capacity for Nigeria which government is trying to harness, in terms of our national development priorities,’ Enikanolaiye stated.
He reiterated the need for stronger unity among Nigerians at home and abroad, urging citizens to break down barriers of ethnicity, religion, and tribe. ‘We are aware of the trust deficit that exists among Nigerians. Let us try and break those barriers of ethnicity, barriers of religion, barriers of tribe. Let us relate on the functional aspect of cooperation that promotes production, that promotes development, that promotes growth and prosperity unto Nigerian,’ he said.
Enikanolaiye also commended the role of Canada and other partners in fostering more productive partnerships through mutual respect and cooperation, as well as the stakeholders’ contribution to Nigeria’s development.