Today, Nigeria will be celebrating her inaugural Diaspora Day. President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to lead activities for this fiesta, which is going to be an annual event.

According to the Permanent Secretary (Political Affairs) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ibukun Odusote in a press conference last week, this year’s activities will be primarily focused on three thematic areas such as health, education, and youth/sports.

The importance of Nigerians living outside the country can no longer be overlooked. In fact, it is a great blunder that we are only now beginning to give the phenomenon due attention. The population of Nigerians in Europe, America and recently Asia, is huge. They are part of the large tranche of people sent to further their education since the 1970’s who chose to reside permanently there. They also include the professionals who left the country in the 1980’s in search of more conducive climates to ply their trade, a process known as the “brain drain”. They also include the not-so-successful segments who require some kind of rehab.

The Nigerian Diaspora has become a great pillar of the country, helping to build a positive image for Nigeria through their exploits in their various disciplines, especially healthcare, technology, academia and business. Unbeknownst to many Nigerians, our Diaspora kith and kin have a place of pride in our economy. The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Diaspora Organisation, Dr George Manuwuike, disclosed that between 2011 and 2014, Nigerians living abroad remitted to the country, a princely sum of 63 billion US Dollars or over 10 trillion Naira.

The World Bank recently confirmed this cheering news, adding that the Nigerian Diaspora ranks fifth behind those of China, India, the Philippines and Mexico.

In view of this, we urge the federal government to take the Diaspora Day activities beyond the usual official celebration. A high powered committee should be set up comprising officials of the federal government and delegates of Nigerians in the Diaspora to document the scope of collaboration needed to bring them fully on board as partners in the development of the country.

We are convinced that our medical professionals living abroad have the manpower and financial muscle to help make Nigeria a prominent destination for health tourism. We must open up the system and encourage them to invest in our economy and reap the bounties, and also give them the opportunity to vote.

We must also take steps to reclaim our children lost to foreign cultures by providing ample opportunities for our children living abroad to learn our local languages and embrace our cultural values for their eventual reintegration into our society.

We wish all Nigerians happy Diaspora Day.