Africa descendants in Diaspora of Nigerian descent are asking the federal government to grant them citizenship under a reparative Justice.
They made the appeal during a gathering in honour of Africans in Diaspora. at the presidential banquet hall Abuja.
Sitting at this banquet hall are Investors, Academics, Doctors, Entertainers, and students amongst others.
They are all from the Diaspora and they say they are ready to come back home, ready to invest.
They also want to be identified as citizens, especially as they have through DNA traced their origins to Nigeria and other African countries.
President of the African Diaspora Union, Chidiebere Ogbu, explained that granting rights to Diasporans who are descendants of citizens sold into slavery is an opportunity that Nigeria and indeed Africa should leverage.
Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri, reaffirmed calls by the Nigerian Government for Diaspora engagement in national development, explaining that the President is committed to empowering the Diaspora to contribute effectively, and maximizing the value of Diaspora contributions to Nigeria’s development.
Other dignitaries like the Former Senate president, pius Ayim who represented Former president Goodluck Jonathan and wife of Oni of Ife Temitope Ogunwusi agreed that together Africa’s strength lies in her people.
Organisers of the event expressed the belief that aside coming home to invest, those who wish to identify themselves with the African culture and inheritance through their genealogy with intention of participation in all African affairs should be encouraged.
They also called for the encouragement of those who do not have the intention of returning back to Africa their motherland and those who desire coming back as African citizens, not as Investors or as Tourists.
(Editor: Utibe Umoren)
