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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

FG reaffirms commitment to security, diaspora engagement

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Nigeria's government reaffirms its commitment to enhancing national security and engaging the Nigerian diaspora for development.
  • The government views Nigerians abroad as vital assets, not burdens, and seeks to harness their potential for national progress.
  • Strategic partnerships, particularly with the U.S., are being deepened to achieve concrete outcomes in security, prosperity, and welfare.

Nigeria's Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to prioritizing national security and leveraging the Nigerian diaspora as a crucial asset for development. Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, emphasized these commitments during an address at the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.

doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we contain these that have been with us in a multifaceted manner for the past 10 or so years.

— Ambassador Sola EnikanolayeThe minister stated that security remained a major challenge but affirmed the current administration's efforts.

Enikanolaye acknowledged security as a significant challenge but affirmed the administration's "multifaceted" efforts to contain long-standing issues. He highlighted Nigeria's entry into a "new era of partnership of strategic autonomy" with key international allies, including the United States, following recent high-level meetings in Washington.

Nigeria is entering a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy with key international partners, including the United States.

— Ambassador Sola EnikanolayeThe minister said he had recently been in Washington as part of a team meeting with the Americans.

The minister stressed that these strategic engagements aim to deliver "core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians in terms of security, in terms of prosperity, in terms of defence and the welfare of the Nigerian people." He also underscored the government's perspective, under President Bola Tinubu, that Nigerians abroad are "vital contributors to national progress" rather than a "consular burden."

core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians in terms of security, in terms of prosperity, in terms of defence and the welfare of the Nigerian people.

— Ambassador Sola EnikanolayeThe minister said the strategic engagement was aimed at delivering these results.

Encouraging unity among Nigerians, both at home and abroad, Enikanolaye urged citizens to overcome ethnic, religious, and tribal barriers. He called for cooperation focused on "production, development, growth and prosperity unto Nigeria," while also acknowledging Canada and other partners for fostering productive, mutually respectful partnerships.

For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development. We don’t see you as a basket case of consular burden responsibilities always in need of government’s intervention and assistance.

— Ambassador Sola EnikanolayeOn the Nigerian diaspora, the minister emphasised the government's view under President Bola Tinubu.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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