The First Diaspora Dialogue

- Obasanjo Visit (contd.)

By: A Special Correspondent

At this juncture in his speech, President Obasanjo reiterated the purpose of the conference thus:  “Finally, we can now summarize the foregoing outlining the scenario.  Nigeria is a country in dire need of economic development and the improvement of the standard of living of the people.  The country has invested much in education.  Access was expanded at all levels, particularly since the Civil War.  Oil was converted to knowledge.  The quality of the education received was high.  That is why many of the nationals were able to leave the country and find greener pastures elsewhere.  Many of them did and achieved positions of eminence in the adopted countries of residence.  For long, for various un-edifying reasons, not much was done to try to tap the knowledge and skills of these Nigerians outside.  Part of the reasons arose from the limited understanding of the concept of human capital as just manpower, and it was assumed that there was sufficient manpower available since there was a considerable amount of unemployment at home.  With advances in science and technology of communications, and with a new approach to economics as being necessarily knowledge-based, drawing on intellect and skill both near and far, it became not only morally right but expedient to seek for and utilize the knowledge and skills of Nigerians wherever they are. That is precisely what we are setting out to do, starting from here.  Fellow compatriots, that is the movement we are asking you to patriotically enroll in and work with us to the glory of God and our Fatherland.” 

He then devoted the rest of his address to the “mechanics of the process.”   He began by first stating what this new initiative is not.  He said: “Let me start by expressing to you what this movement is not, in order to avoid misunderstanding.  First of all, we are not embarking on a massive recruitment drive or scholarship sponsorship exercise.  We are expanding the job market at home by the totality of what we are doing, and these new jobs will be accessed in the normal fashion notwithstanding the fact that we shall from time to time be conducting head hunts, seeking for particular individuals to fit into appropriate super-skilled jobs.  We would not like to convey the impression that we are out to promote a homeward exodus.”

Secondly, “This is not a new public relations exercise, like a number of failed past national mobilization initiatives each characterized by the structural defects of the binge element, by the defect of undue publicity with heightened personality cults and expectations of instant political dividend, and by the defect of being the opportunity to expend or siphon away public funds.  We have hopefully left for good that blighted phase of our life as a people.  This is a serious movement that we hope will elicit the best of patriotic motives, one that will develop its own momentum and become a regular part of our system, sine qua non.” 

“Finally, this is not another manifestation of the mentality of big government, wanting to do everything for everybody in an unrealistic Santa Claus fashion in order to increase its grip on society.  We are very much believers in the political and economic reforms that seek to transfer much power and function to the civil society, in this case, precisely to the private sector.  It does not, in anyway, mean abdicating responsibility.  We shall be there to give every help that may be required of Government.  But, the activities will be initiated and promoted by the private sector which we, are grooming to be weaned off and even become the dominant partner to Government.” 

President Obasanjo then enumerated what the new initiative is, as follows:

1.  “It is envisaged that a Foundation shall be established as a Non-Government Organization (NGO) to promote the attainment of the goals of the movement.  The NGO will establish structures and networks that will promote the use of special skills of Nigerians in Diaspora. This can be reimbursable service with the promise of a handsome return.  Being a professional practice, the NGO will establish data banks of expertise using the latest tools of technology.” 

2.  “Government will assume two roles:  (a)  That of a facilitator to enablem the process to take off.  We think that this will justify the limited use of public funds.  (b)  Government will be an end user of the service of the NGO, on a reimbursable basis.  In other words, Government, like any other user, will assign the NGO to undertake activities, each for a given fee.  But, Government does not have to be the sole user or even the principal user.”  

3.  “Government will facilitate the work of the NGO by its direction of public policy and establishing the proper economic framework, both as part of its constitutional responsibility and its implementation of the programmes in its political manifesto.  Besides, the availability of such a service can, for example, stimulate Government to embark on the human capital audit of its programmes and projects in order to take good stock of the availability of such a resource.  This widens legitimate and beneficial assignment opportunities for the NGO.” 

4.  “Naturally, much consultation and planning are required.  We need the seed of core investors to set the ball rolling.  We also need to sensitize our fellow Nigerians all over the world to this idea.  Of course, we need toconvince the potential end users: Governments, at all tiers and levels in Nigeria, the multilateral agencies like the World Bank, IMF, WHO, UNDP, USAID, European Union and others, as well as all cooperating foreign Governments in particular programmes, like those of ECOWAS.” 

5.  “There is a Standing Committee at home, made up of Ministers of the appropriate ministries and, for now, headed by the Minister of Education.  We are also receiving advice from different expert sources, among them our very good friends here in the USA.  Besides, I assure you that during this formative period, all reports of preparatory meetings and other activities will end up on my desk to receive my personal attention.  My interest is not a flash-in-the-pan fleeting fancy.  It has been long standing and consuming, and will not flag until our noble objectives in the Diaspora Movement are achieved.” 

President Obasanjo concluded thus:  “.....my fellow countrymen and women, let me try to clear in advance any charge of oversimplification.  I am quite aware that I have been talking to Nigerians in the Diaspora who have acquired high level marketable skills.  Clearly, it cannot be so for everyone.  There are different classes of expatriate Nigerians, for example here in the USA.  Some were students who came on their own, or on scholarship and then defaulted.  There are also professionals who may still have a bond or contract on them at home, while many may be free.  There are family entourage migrants and some were transported in the first few months of their fetal lives to be born here as American citizens.  I am also aware of the self-made refugees.  Some were justifiably political refugees, although we can no longer see any justification for such a status now.  Others are economic refugees or fugitives from justice.  Finally, there are entrepreneurs in politics and in economics, both types to varying degrees of success.  I note with pride that a Nigerian, Mr. Emmanuel W. Onunwor, is the Mayor of East Cleveland and there are many holding positions of eminence, trust and responsibility in the American Federal and State Governments, in large companies, multilateral agencies and even in the Silicon Valley.  All of you can contribute to the development of your country.  I know that some of you are already doing much privately, particularly with their families.  I urge you to continue with all the good things you are doing.  Just build on the goals of our new Diaspora Movement, and work with others.  Some of you can contribute better by remaining here to take advantage of the vast opportunities in the USA.  Others will contribute better by going home.”