The Nigerians In Diaspora Organization, (NIDO) has urged 10th Assembly to take diaspora voting seriously because it very necessary for Nigerians outside the country to be part and parcel of the political administration of the country. "So, it important we perform our civic right of voting."
Continental Chairman of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization, (NIDO) Europe, Dr Bashir Obasekola made this appeal when fielding questions from journalists in Abuja at the dinner and cultural night to celebrate 20th Anniversary of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization, NIDO Europe.
It would be recalled that, NIDO was created by the then president Olusegun Obasanjo when he travelled and discovered a lot of Nigerians are doing great things outside the country. NIDO is Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, it is for homeland development. The essence of the organization created in the year 2000, started in the Americas and later in Europe.
Dr Bashir Obasekola noted that celebrating 20th anniversary, even though it was last year but they couldn’t celebrate it due to the consequences of COVID-19 and it postponed it to this year to celebrate it in Nigeria by spending money in Nigeria and enhancing the economy of the country.
"We have supported charities, small and medium scale enterprises and also to show ourselves as a part of the new beginning for diaspora organizations in Nigeria.
On NIDO relationship with NIDCOM, Dr Bashir Obasekola said, 'NIDCOM is the interface between Nigerians oand government. NIDO existed before NIDCOM but it is more like our baby, what we asked from the government as an interface between us and government. All we do at NIDCOM we push it through NIDCOM so that we can have the government’s ears.'
"We are expecting the chairman of NIDCOM or her representative here. We have been in the country for a week and NIDCOM has delegated an officer who is with us in all our engagements in the country.
On his expectation to include Nigerians in Diaspora in cabinet of president Tinubu, he said, "Yes we are expecting because you may recollect that while he was the governor of Lagos state, some of the commissioners were people from the diaspora. We expect that at the federal level he will also give opportunity to diaspora because we have a lot of expertise and experience.
"Some of the things we think are impossible in Nigeria, some of the countries have done them so with Nigerians in diaspora in the administration they can come over and say that the countries who have done those things don’t have two heads, with their experience we too can do it. I expect diasporan in this administration even if not at ministerial level but in other capacities as head of MDAs."
SpyeTV News reports that, delegates from all twenty three chapters across twenty two European countries converged in Abuja to climax a week long 20th Anniversary celebration of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization, NIDO Europe.
They formed into an organization whereby people can approach and take advantage of the pool of expertise for homeland development. From 2002 this vision has spread and today we have NIDO Europe, NIDO in America, in Africa, in Asia and in the Oceania.
The highlight of the event were the launching of new book, cultural display by Benue troupe and presentation of awards and souvenirs to committed members from diaspora.