Nigerians in Diaspora map out plans to unlock economic opportunities in Nigeria, unveils project

An ambitious mid to long term national economic development initiative by Nigerians in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, NiDCC, has been launched in Lagos.

It is tagged, ‘Grand Project’, designed to match intellectual and capital capabilities among Diasporans with those in Nigeria to propel the transformation of the Nigerian economy.

The chamber strongly believes that collaborations between the Diasporans and Nigerians who are ready to take Nigeria to the next level will turn Nigeria’s potentials to tangible for benefit of teeming Nigerians.

Patience Ndidi Ofure- Key, President of NiDCC explained at the Grand Project launch and Business Summit themed: “The People, The Business and the Future of Emerging Markets”, that the  chamber is  building a deal platform. “Our objective is to turn conversations into capital, MoUs into contracts, and intent into implementation”

Regretting the much inequality and depletion in Nigeria, Patience believed that even the plenty in  the Western world was contributed by Nigerians and other African countries.

She said Nigeria system gave most of Nigerian professionals doing great things abroad the resource, education and the asset they possess today. “Nigeria built the professionals.  It is therefore we replicate here all the great things we do outside the world”.

Pat Utomi who is Chairman of Board of Trustees underlined that” if we have a diaspora that has produced 70% of all the doctors of color in the United States of America, that diaspora should not be taken for granted.

“ If we have a diaspora that has the most educated ethnic population or migrant population in the United States of America, that diaspora should not be taken for granted”. He believes that Nigerians have done so well in foreign lands.

Patience Ndidi Ofure Key continued that  “there’s a need to bridge the gap between the emerging markets and the advanced markets. People talk about insecurity, corruption, underdevelopment and all the ills that we see in different nations. The only way this can be checked is when we begin closing the gap. Bridge that gap between the emerging markets and the advanced markets”

She said this can be achieved through collaborations on a multilayer platforms. “We are not only going to do that just by bringing people together in the chamber as members, but collaborations with other African countries and others”.

Patience who is passionate about leapfrogging Nigeria economy, having seen how other  worlds are advancing, said NiDCC is not just an organization looking for membership.  “We are an organization most importantly looking to invest, looking to get involved in projects, looking to enhance and advance entrepreneurship, because entrepreneurship is the engine of growth in every nation”

Recapping the popular statements by so many leaders  that until Nigeria gets it, Africa may be on the standstill, she said “we don’t want to keep Africa on the standstill.  We want to begin to move forward”

She commended resilience and hard work among Nigerians but regrets that the youth lack the resources to advance in their skills and entrepreneurship.

She said Nigerian diaspora sends $20–24 billion home annually, more than many years of FDI—yet less than a tenth of that typically reaches productive enterprise. “This is the arbitrage NiDCC was built to close”.

Other areas NiDCC intend to concentrate include ,Food Security & Agricultural Transformation; Future Leaders Academy ; Global Trade Missions & Diaspora Investment Forums; and  Tourism & Creative Industry Scale-Up.

Also speaking, Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State former governor commended NiDCC for promoting trade. He believes that the chamber will assist and guide foreign investors interested in Nigeria from falling into wrong hands.

According to him, the efforts of NiDCC will assist to unlock opportunities in Nigeria.