FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – Nigeria in Diaspora under the umbrella body of Zumunta Association USA International and from across the 19 Northern states living in the United States, has said that, it would train 1000 youths across Nasarawa State on ICT as well a medical outreach during the plan annual general meeting and convention schedule to hold in Lafia.
The Director General, Nigeria in Diaspora, Abike Dabiri Erewa represented by the secretary, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Engr. (Dr) Sule Yakubu disclosed this when he led a delegation of the association on a courtesy call on Governor Abdullahi Sule held at the Nasarawa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja recently.
According to the DG, the association is planning to hold to hold a special convention on from July 13th-24th in Lafia and the event would also feature amongst other things, a medical outreach by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, at the newly constructed Gudi General Hospital, a sporting event, as well as a golf tournament that would take place at the Nasarawa Golf Club, Lafia the state capital.
The NIDCOM DG added that the Zumunta annual general meeting would also feature an investment summit between Zumunta members and investors in Nasarawa State in four basic areas of agriculture, minerals and mines, education and health.
She further pointed out that there would also be a theme colloquium, discussing on how Nigerians in the Diaspora can engage in investments in Nigeria.
“Many at times, we have the Diaspora home remittances to consist mainly of palliatives and help for families, but they have decided to move the Diaspora from thinking on only home remittances to investment.
Explained that the purpose of the courtesy call was to inform Governor Sule about the decision of the board of trustees of the Zumunta Association to move the 2025 annual general meeting of the association to Nigeria, with the last of such held 15 years ago, and the choice of Lafia as the venue for the event.
While explaining the purpose of the courtesy visit, the DG added that the decision to host their annual convention in Nigeria falls in line with the core values behind the establishment of the association which major objectives is to engage with Nigerians in the Diaspora with a view to helping them to engage with Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that NIDCOM had been following the activities of Governor Sule which explained why he was awarded the national Diaspora merit award by the committee on the national Diaspora merit award in July last year.
He described the decision by the Zumunta Association to hold its convention in Nigeria as not only being key but novel, particularly that the association not held its convention in the country in the past 15 years.
“For the past 15 years Zumunta has not had a convention in Nigetia. This is very novel. This is key. I am sure at the end of it, many Zumunta members would find ways to key into investment in the SMEs sector in Nasarawa State,” he said.
Responding, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed satisfaction that the NIDCOM under the leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, is doing a wonderful job regarding coordination of the activities of Nigerians in Diaspora.
Tracing the beginning of the Zumunta to 1991, Governor Sule lauded the recognition being given the association by NIDCOM, stressing that if there is any such association that deserves recognition, it is the Zumunta Association.
“Zumunta deserves the recognition by NIDCOM Not to see any association negatively, when we started Zumunta in 1991, in Washington DC. I started as the pioneer secretary, and Aliyu Mustapha was the pioneer president. Two years later, I became the president. Zumunta is me, and I am Zumunta. There is no way I would say no to your request,” he stated.
According to the Governor, so many people are proud of Zumunta, adding that back in 1991, there existed 127 associations of Nigerians in Houston but only one association of the 19 states of Northern Nigeria and that is the Zumunta Association.
He described the Zumanta Association as a vital vehicle for unity among Nigerians of Northern Nigeria extraction living in the United States.
Governor Sule directed his Commissioner nominee, Dr. Margret Elayo, who doubles as the NIDCOM’s Nasarawa State Focal Person for Nigerians in Diaspora, to liaise with the Zumunta Association with a view to making the annual general meeting and convention a success.
Signed
SOLOMON MUNDUNG
AEO (Information).
EDITED BY
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
