Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, has urged Nigerians living abroad to pitch in financially to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She encouraged young people in Nigeria to have faith in the current government’s ability to fulfill their fundamental needs and spread the benefits of democracy.
In 2022, the UN reported that 26,400 Nigerians sought asylum overseas, while 27,000 were officially recognized as refugees and provided shelter.
Mrs. Tinubu made the plea on Monday at the New York 2023 Nigeria Economic Growth and Trade Summit, which had the subject “Stemming Migration Flows by Providing Basic Needs.”
On the fringes of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Nigerian Governors’ Wives’ Forum reportedly convened a summit.
Despite migration’s potential to open up exciting new horizons, the first lady warned that it also carried the risk of brain drain.
“Many African countries are worried about the brain drain issue, in which highly skilled individuals leave their own country for apparently greater opportunities overseas.
By making high-quality education more widely available and fostering an atmosphere conducive to the development of new employment opportunities, we can help individuals flourish in the areas we serve.
“And the growth of domestic industries that can sustainably bolster the economy.
If we want everyone to have access to basic health care services, we need to reform our healthcare system.
Strengthen social safety nets and enhance health care to reduce health-related migration.
Our new program, Renewed Hope, is designed to improve the quality of life for families.
We invest in the future of our society by supporting its most vital segments—its women and young people—in the areas of agriculture, education, economic empowerment, health, and social investment.
Seventy percent of our people are under the age of 30, and nearly half of all residents are female.
Together with an enabling environment, “schemes which focus on empowering this demographic” can help reverse the migratory decline.
She addressed the governors’ wives that their leadership positions were crucial to making long-lasting changes in their states.
You and the government agencies must collaborate to ensure that laws protecting human rights and guaranteeing equal opportunities are effectively implemented.
The American Dream can be turned on its head through policy reforms that call for skilled people to return home after gaining experience overseas.
We need to keep recognizing the positive contributions that foreign organizations, good-hearted people in the diaspora, and the commercial sector are making to our country.
A platform such as this one can pave the way for Nigerians living abroad to make contributions to their home nation and foster its growth.
The negative impacts of brain drain can be lessened “through investment, knowledge sharing, and collaborations,” she said.
The first lady of Nigeria has called for an upbeat narrative in the country, one that highlights the country’s many accomplishments and the rich cultural traditions that its citizens share.
She claims that the economy of Nigeria is about to experience a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity.
She urged the young people of Nigeria to practice patience and perseverance as they worked together to improve their country.
Twelve governors’ spouses, according to NAN, attended the ceremony.
Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, and Hajiya Asma’u Yahaya were the first ladies of the states of Oyo, Ogun, Imo, and Gombe, respectively.
The first ladies of Lagos, Borno, and Kogi states were also present: Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Falmata Zulum, and Hajiya Rashidat Yahaya Bello, respectively.
