By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a key asset for development and deepening strategic partnerships based on mutual respect and cooperation.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this while addressing participants at the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.
Enikanolaiye acknowledged that security remains a major challenge facing the country but assured Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking all necessary measures to address the situation.
According to him, the government is “doing everything humanly possible” to contain the multifaceted security challenges that have confronted the country for more than a decade.
The Minister also disclosed that Nigeria was entering “a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy” with key international partners, including the United States.
“I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” he said.
He explained that the strategic engagements were aimed at achieving concrete outcomes for Nigerians in the areas of security, prosperity, defence and general welfare.
On the Nigerian diaspora, Enikanolaiye said the Tinubu administration regarded Nigerians living abroad as critical assets to national development rather than a burden on the government.
“For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development. We don’t see you as a basket case of consular burden responsibilities always in need of government intervention and assistance,” he said.
The Minister stressed that Nigerians in the diaspora constituted a vital human resource with significant capacities that could be harnessed to support the country’s development priorities.
He called for greater unity and cooperation among Nigerians at home and abroad, urging citizens to overcome ethnic, religious and tribal divisions.
“We are aware of the trust deficit that exists among Nigerians, especially those of us abroad. Let’s try and break those barriers of ethnicity, barriers of religion, barriers of tribe, and let’s relate on the functional aspect of cooperation that promotes production, that promotes development, that promotes growth and prosperity unto Nigerian,” he said.
Enikanolaiye also acknowledged the contributions of Canada and other international partners towards building more productive relationships with Nigeria, anchored on mutual respect and cooperation.
He commended stakeholders contributing to the country’s development and thanked the organisers of the conference and members of the diaspora community for their efforts in showcasing Nigeria’s potential.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to work with Nigerians in the diaspora and international partners to advance the nation’s interests and promote sustainable national development.
