Abiodun Adeniyi,

A Mass Communication teacher at Baze University, Abuja, expresses concern that the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission might be moribund, after the tenure of its present charge, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

It was interesting listening in, at a recent symposium organized by the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). Entiitled ‘Mobilizing Nigerians in the Diaspora for National Development’, the symposium was supposedly another conversation around exploring the potentials of the absent citizens. It was valuable, and consistent with the image of NIDCOM as one that is rich in ideas, but often unfortunately weak in execution. This weakness is no fault of theirs, nevertheless, for some reasons.

First is poor funding, and second because of a subtly loud indifference for its mandate. Third, is some suspected threat of a conflict of responsibility between it and the overarching Foreign Ministry, leading to a real but unacknowledged tension. Fourth is the poor structural and facility support it presently has, plus a disinterest in helping them out, or even a concern for denying them of the little they have, especially with the recent treatment they got from the penitent fanatic, and Minister of Communication, Dr. Isa Pantami. Fifth, is the hitherto inability to appreciate the full import of diasporic influence, aside from the short-term benefit of remittance.

That said, NIDCOM actually also looks like an organization that might be moribund, after its present charge, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Reason being that the evolution of the organization has substantially benefitted from the predominant brand of the chairperson, as a former television woman, a legislator, with a focus on diaspora matters, before becoming a presidential adviser on diaspora, besides her conscious or unconscious glamour. Her progress in the public sphere has arguably been synonymous with diaspora issues, making her a factor in the description of Nigeria diaspora.

Add her passion, media initiative, and a level of influence she covets, plus her stimulus, and it would be tougher to deny the effect of her brand. Then remember how institutions come and go, how they are rather revolving around individuals, and personalities instead of growing a life of their own, plus the present marginal attention the organization is receiving, then you are likely to feel for the important organization in the postDabiri-Erewa years. The exception is if she probably becomes a foreign minister, vice-president, or a president; or just if she sustains an effect, strong enough to continue supporting them after her time.

And then this: I am imagining the poor attention to the organization has resulted or is resulting into a suspected inability to lead a comprehensive or a more credible mapping of the supposed Nigerian Diaspora membership, in such a manner that skill sets will be identified, aside separating the wheat from the chaff. In doing this mapping, it would have been possible to differentiate between Nigerian migrants’ workers and education sojourners from the real diasporic community-a membership supposedly made up of citizens, largely settled and prosperous in the distant countries, but still respectful of Nigeria as inherited origin.

A proper map would also enable the identification of those merely remembering the country as an imaginary ancestral home, never to be returned to, never to be appreciated, but which the government still takes for granted as members of the Nigerian Diaspora. How about knowing the celebrated professionals, predominating the media for their feasts, and doing a sectorial analysis of where they can fit in, if not through physical return but through remote knowledge transfer, partnerships, corporations, integrations and much else?

Let’s see again: we also often assume that many members of the diasporic community are ready to return. Maybe and maybe not. We can check: for a lot of them, the comfort of the distant location they are in, have to be replicated, if they have to return. What are these comforts? Constant power supply, security of lives and prosperity, good roads, good jobs, etc. This is about those doing well, and not those still negotiating integration, statutes, or economics.

How about the assumption that Nigeria is still a home for many of them? There should be doubts on this. This is because home, in modern times, has become increasingly subjective, with instantaneous technologies, and motivations for travelling and dwelling, and with the heightened sense of co-presence, regardless of distance. For many, they have constructed another home overtime, through marriages, through encouraging and supporting and inviting family members, and home is no longer as missed. It is here-where we are at; and not where we are from (due regards to Gilroy). The myth of home has been shattered. They have demythologized it, as Robins and Akor describe it; and unhelped by the retrogression, or lack of development in the ‘home’ left behind. A proper map of the Nigerian Diaspora would help discern all these.

There is also a reason Indians created structures for diasporic return and integration. It is essentially about harnessing their possibilities and potentials. The Chinese have been smart about theirs, largely encouraging return, if to contribute to the late century rise of the Asian Empire, even though nearly 200 Chinese students can still be counted in western universities, annually. This lot do not pretend about being a diaspora (like ours are easily classed), but only education migrants, returning soon after qualifications. The full effect of this on the Chinese are still being consolidated. Even continuing.

Added to the above is the experience behind the easy integration of Australians in Earl’s court, London; and the Germans in Argentina; aside from the Hong- Kongers in Canada; the Indians in America; the Lebanese, Palestinians, Indians and Chinese in Nigeria and in West Africa; the Chinese in South–East Asia; the Greeks, the Mexicans, the Irish, and the Turks in America; the Pakistanis in Britain, and the Jews in Europe and the Americas. Where can we say Nigerians are, besides an initial assumption that the Igbos once preferred the United States, while the Yorubas fancy the United Kingdom, and that the Hausa/ Fulani desire countries in the Middle East?

What are the migrants or diasporic citizens doing in all these places, assuming they are genuinely settled? What statistics do we have regarding the present-day rush to Canada, the crave for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the detours to China, including the traditional interest in popular traditional destinations like UK, the US, and other countries of the West? How about the circular migrants, those literally living excellently between the borders, moving hither and thither, perhaps for business, sports, entertainment, or for investment reasons? High-flying journalists Dele Momodu, Dele Olojede, Dapo Olorunyomi, Dupe Ashama, businessman, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and our sport exports are examples here.