The Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Basil Maduka Okolo, has called on Nigerians living in Brazil to abide by the country’s laws and maintain a positive image of their homeland.
Speaking at a roundtable organized by the Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation (NIDOA), Brazil chapter, the ambassador, represented by Charge d’Affaires Oyelola Ogumola, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering constructive engagement with NIDOA-Brazil and the broader Nigerian community.
The event, themed “Accountability and Probity: The Role of NIDOA in Making an Impact in Nigeria,” attracted numerous Nigerians from across Brazil and South America. It featured discussions led by a panel of experts from diverse professional fields.
In a statement, NIDOA-Brazil President, Mr. Chikaodiri Emmanuel Ori, emphasized the importance of partnerships between the Nigerian government and the diaspora. He highlighted the need for unity, purposeful action, and collaboration to drive development and positive change in Nigeria.
Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), stressed that accountability and probity are vital for sustainable diaspora engagement and urged greater unity among diaspora organizations.
Senator Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi, representing Osun Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, discussed legislative measures to enhance diaspora contributions to national progress. He encouraged Nigerians abroad to leverage their expertise, particularly in agriculture and technology, to benefit the country.
Prof. Kelvin Chuka Urama, Vice President of the African Development Bank, identified five key areas for collective diaspora efforts to create a unified approach for Nigeria’s advancement.
Additionally, Mr. Philip Adekunle, CEO of KnowledgeSquare Ltd, announced a partnership with NIDOA-Brazil to facilitate the issuance of National Identification Numbers (NIN) to Nigerians residing in Brazil and across the Americas.
In closing, Mr. Chikaodiri Emmanuel Ori urged participants to build collaborative networks and engage in peer review to foster growth and development in the coming year.
