The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has encouraged Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest in infrastructure projects in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a week-long ICT training program on Tuesday, Wike emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Diaspora community and the FCT Administration to identify areas of need and opportunities for investment.
He highlighted the potential for Diaspora investments to enhance infrastructure, amenities, and quality of life in Abuja, citing transportation, housing, healthcare, and renewable energy as areas of focus, according to TheNation.
Wike praised the Diaspora community’s expertise, resources, and professionalism, emphasizing their critical role in shaping Nigeria’s development and progress.
The event, organized by NIDO Worldwide Diaspora Week, aims to promote engagement and knowledge exchange between the Diaspora community and youth. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to acquire ICT skills and mentor their peers, contributing to societal advancement.
Wike said, “Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Abuja that serves as a model for sustainable urban development and innovation. By tapping your talents and resources, we can create enduring partnerships that can drive inclusive growth, ensure job creation, and improve the standard of living of our people.
“You have to see Abuja not just as a city, but also as a source of our pride as a people and as a canvas of opportunities, waiting to be tapped. Other areas like transportation, housing, healthcare, and renewable energy.
“Our Diaspora community plays a pivotal role in shaping the development and progress of our nation, bringing with them a wealth of resources such as knowledge, skills, experiences, and finances which are invaluable to our economy and growth.”
He continued, “The Diaspora input and collaboration will no doubt be very critical in our determination to create a more vibrant and sustainable capital city that is comparable to the world’s best capital cities in terms of infrastructure and service delivery.
“That’s why it is imperative that we leverage on interconnectedness and build productive networks of all our Diaspora community to attract investors to partner with us in our quest for accelerated growth and progress.”