Buhari Approves Creation Of Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund 

President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the creation of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF), a private sector investment window with Nigerians living abroad to boost direct investments in the nation.

News Agency of Nigeria

The president offered his approval at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday at the presentation of a compendium titled +600 Diaspora Icons @ 60, which was produced by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

Nigeria, he claims, is open to Diaspora Direct Investment from Nigerians living overseas.

He also stated his support for the creation of a Diaspora Intervention Fund to assist the Commission in carrying out its mandate.

President Buhari stated that remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora have not only aided families but also improved Nigeria’s development index.

He described the 327-page compendium as “a historical record of the worth of our compatriots globally’’.

The illustrious ranking in the book, according to the president, is a reminder of what Nigerians are capable of achieving to the satisfaction of the international world.

‘‘Irrespective of the few bad eggs among us, and every nation has such bad eggs, Nigeria remains a great country, populated by great people, living at home or abroad, making us proud.

‘‘This compendium attests to that fact and the names of people and the fields they have excelled speak about their resilience and how exceptional Nigerians, both at home and abroad, have become,’’ he added.

The president reminded Nigerians that it is their responsibility to praise and congratulate their countrymen and women who thrive in their chosen fields.

‘‘No one else will do so for us. Rather, other people will tend to capitalise on the few bad eggs and characterise us in their own narratives, narratives that seek to characterise us in bad light.

“We must not allow that to happen.

‘‘As we launch the compendium of excellent Nigerians today, we are also celebrating some of our best, nationally and globally.

‘‘I call on every Nigerian, irrespective of where they may be, to continue to be of exemplary behaviour and with determination to offer quality services that contribute to the progress of humanity,’’ he said.

He complimented individuals whose names were included in the first edition and challenged others to work harder in future editions to make the list.

The president said his Diaspora tripartite goal remained unaltered while describing his encounters with Nigerians in the Diaspora during his official tours overseas.

He said: ‘‘Nigerians in the Diaspora are our Ambassadors-at-large by their character, comportment and daily actions.

‘‘They should be the best and excel in all their endeavours and they should ‘give back’ by contributing to the development of Nigeria.’’

The president praised the Diaspora Commission, chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for the zeal with which they worked to improve interaction with the Diaspora community.

‘‘Rebuilding Nigeria is not the responsibility of Nigerians who live at home alone but of every Nigerian irrespective of the place of domicile,’’ he said.

Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa, said the compendium was inspired by the regular Diaspora Presidential Town Hall sessions in her remarks.

‘‘The compendium is birthed out of the necessity to recognise, celebrate and showcase Nigerians in the Diaspora who are doing great things in their host countries and also contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria,’’ she said.

According to her, the commission intends to publish the compendium on a monthly basis in order to combat negative perceptions generated by the actions of a few Nigerians who do not reflect good on the country.