Nigerians home, abroad have same desire for greater country, says VP

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said Nigerians, at home or abroad, share the same desire to see the country working effectively and becoming greater by harnessing existing potentials.

He expressed this view, yesterday, during a meeting with a delegation from the US-based Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) and a team of Nigerian doctors from the diaspora, including those who have relocated back to the country to establish private hospitals.

At a meeting, which discussed challenges in the health sector and reviewed some detailed policy proposals, Osinbajo noted: “Practically everyone, whether you worked abroad or you worked here (in Nigeria), all have the same burden and desire in our hearts – to see the huge potentials here in this country transformed into something real.

“I think that it is a constant burden for people who are here, let alone people who are abroad, to see how well things can be done and how well things are going.”

He said: “We must find a way of harnessing and galvanising, so that we can work towards making this country really work, not just for those who can afford it, but for the vast majority of our people who are disempowered.”

Speaking about the work of Nigerians in diaspora, particularly doctors, Osinbajo acknowledged: “Physicians in diaspora, especially in the US and Americas, have contributed very considerably to healthcare in Nigeria. Almost at every turn, they are contributing in terms of services in rural areas, medical teams everywhere providing all sorts of care, and this has gone on for years and years.”

Praising the work of physicians, the Vice President noted: “If there is any group of professionals good at giving back and showing that level of altruism, it is physicians in diaspora. I commend you for that and to say that we are seeing a good number of physicians returning home to set up.” and establish businesses here.”

In his own remarks, the Secretary to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, who led the delegation to the Presidential Villa, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, noted: “We are happy to deal with both Nigerian doctors in the diaspora and those who are returning to set up practices here in Nigeria, thereby turning the brain drain to brain gain.”

Also speaking, ANPA President, Dr. Christopher Okunseri, described the organisation as one that has been in existence for over “27 years, registered in the United States of America, representing over 5,000 dentists and physicians across the US.”

Members of the delegation were top physicians in specialised fields of medicine such as Neurology, Gynecology, Paediatrics, and Orthopaedics.

They include Dr. Chinyere Anyaogu; Dr. Iyore James; Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu; Dr. Abraham Osinbowale; Dr. Ifeanyi Obiakor; Dr. Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor; Dr. Clifford Eke; Dr. Biodun Ogunbo; Dr. Dauda Balami and other officials from Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The meeting was organised by NiDCOM.