By Nkechi Eze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians living in Rwanda that his administration will continue to work tirelessly to reposition Nigeria and remove obstacles hindering citizens from achieving their full potential both at home and abroad.
According to an official signed statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President gave the assurance on Friday during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Kigali, Rwanda.
The delegation comprised academics, business entrepreneurs, professionals from various sectors, students and representatives of multinational organisations operating in Rwanda.
President Tinubu commended the Nigerians for being worthy ambassadors of the country through their respect for the laws of their host nation and their contributions to pan-African development.
He stated that the reform programmes introduced by his administration were beginning to yield positive results, noting that the Nigerian economy had stabilised despite initial challenges.
The President assured the delegation that his government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for Nigerians to excel in all spheres of life.
“I thank you for being good ambassadors, and we are proud of what you are doing, which reflects the Nigerian pride. Our reforms are working, and the economy is bright and stable,” the President said.
He further pledged to govern with transparency and sincerity irrespective of ethnic or tribal considerations, while urging Nigerians in the diaspora to remain united and patriotic.
“The Green-White-Green Flag means so much to all of us. None of us has direct control over where we are born; God has that prerogative,” he stated.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s history, President Tinubu noted that the country had successfully overcome its difficult past and embraced national reconciliation and development.
The President also explained that the symbol on his trademark cap represents his determination to break the chains of poverty, ignorance, disease and other barriers confronting Nigerians.
President Tinubu directed Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna, to collaborate closely with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and relevant authorities to address concerns raised by Nigerians living in Rwanda, particularly issues relating to passports and consular services.
Ambassador Zanna informed the President that the Nigerian High Commission in Kigali had digitised its records and maintained a comprehensive database of Nigerians residing in Rwanda.
Earlier, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described members of the delegation as outstanding Nigerians contributing meaningfully to Rwanda’s development across education, ICT, hospitality, sports and business sectors.
She disclosed that the Nigerian community in Rwanda includes at least 28 PhD holders and several chief executives of multinational organisations.
Chairman of the Association of Nigerians in Rwanda, Professor Umar Wali, informed the President that the association originated through efforts of members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps serving in Rwanda and had continued to promote unity, lawful conduct and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
He, however, highlighted difficulties faced by Nigerians in Rwanda in renewing passports and obtaining travel documents for newborn babies due to the absence of a passport office at the Nigerian High Commission in Kigali.
Also speaking, Dr Olugbemi Adekakan, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), expressed readiness to replicate his contributions to humanity in Nigeria with government support.
Fatima Attahiru of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assured the President of her organisation’s willingness to collaborate with the Nigerian government on human capital development and skills acquisition initiatives.
Former Nigerian-Canadian basketball player and President of the Dallas Mavericks, Masai Ujiri, also told the President of his interest in developing Nigeria’s sports infrastructure into a viable enterprise capable of attracting private investment.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, assured the Nigerian community that the agency had developed diaspora-focused programmes aimed at enabling Nigerians abroad contribute meaningfully to national development.
Members of the delegation praised President Tinubu’s leadership and participation at the Africa CEO Forum, while reaffirming their commitment to projecting Nigeria positively in Rwanda and beyond.
