Published By Olukayode Idowu
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Mr Georges Chikoti has said until when Africa begins to tap, harness and exploit the huge human and capital resources of its Diaspora more constructively, there may be slow growth and development of the continent.
Chikoti expressed this when he led a seven-man delegation to the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.
Chikoti whose visit centered on plans to host an upcoming Diaspora Convention, added that Africa has the largest amount of Diaspora and the number of Africans migrating is on the increase.
According to a statement by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the NIDCOM, the Secretary General and his team plan to create opportunities for Africans to return home and not only to invest, but to participate in sports and politics hence the importance of the 6th Region of the African Union.
Odu said Chikoti who was excited with the enviable records set by NIDCOM, added
that, “the more we give Nigerians in the Diaspora attention, the more we get better results from them.”
Dabiri-Erewa, commended the Secretary General’s efforts OACPS and his entire team for enlisting NIDCOM in the post-Convention activites for African Diaspora Day. She stated that there will be a more robust engagement with OACPS and communication will be established to build up a proper Conference.
The NIDCOM boss stated further that the 2nd and 3rd generation Nigerians in the Diaspora are even more curious and desirous in giving back to their homeland, an opportunity that should not be missed.