Ministry, NiDCOM strengthen partnership for better diaspora engagement

• Why youths must harness potential, resist ‘japa’ mentality, says Emmanuel

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dunoma Ahmed, has reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to fulfil its mandate through effective communication and advocacy.

However, the National Director, Directorate of Politics and Governance, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Femi Emmanuel, charged the youth not to migrate but redirect their focus to finding out God’s purpose for their lives, saying people who do not know their purposes easily lose focus in life.

Ahmed gave the assurance, yesterday, during a strategic engagement with NiDCOM’s management team, led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.

A statement signed by the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Officer of NiDCOM, Gabriel Odu, quoted Ahmed as saying, “Diaspora engagement is an integral component of the 4Ds (Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora) of the Foreign Policy Doctrine of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

The permanent secretary commended Dabiri-Erewa for her outstanding leadership, which positioned NiDCOM on the global stage.

Ahmed expressed the ministry’s interest in being actively involved in NiDCOM’s Data Mapping Initiative, aimed at creating a comprehensive Data Bank of all Nigerians in the Diaspora.

“This initiative will enable strategic planning and engagement with the Diaspora to maximise their contributions to national development”, he stated.

Asserting that labour migration is a critical area of focus, Ahmed urged NiDCOM to look at ways to engage and sensitise on legal and structured pathways for Nigerians seeking opportunities through this route.

EMMANUEL lamented that it was rather unfortunate that youths of the nation, who were supposed to look inward to harness their potential, nurture them and thrive, could not see this, but all they could think of was ‘Japa’.

The Presiding Pastor of Living Spring Chapel International said many of the youths, who relocated abroad by all means without a definite or divine purpose usually return frustrated.

The cleric made the call while speaking at the official launch of an educational book, How to Flourish as a Student Academically, written by a PhD student of Lead City University, Ibadan, Alafiatayo Ayodele.

He charged the youth, “If the founder and chancellor of Lead City University had also run away, there would be no Lead City University today. There is no way you can get to your destination if focus is missed.

“This is a generation where students are no longer interested in books; they neither want to write notes nor write examinations. Sometimes you look at the whole landscape and say where is this ‘Gen Z’ going? If this is how they see life, what will happen to them and the generation after them?”

Lauding the author for his hard work towards meeting a need in the academic world, he said, “Thank God you got your focus right early in life.”

While congratulating the author’s parents, Mr and Mrs Adebayo and Taiwo Ayodele, he charged parents to train their children well and the youths to take cues from what Alafiatayo had done to impart humanity.

Vice Chancellor of Lead City, Prof Kabiru Adeyemo, who reviewed the book, said, “It brings forth an insightful and practical guide for students at all academic levels.”