Reduce Politicians’ Pay. A former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, has called on the Federal Government to work towards the reduction in take-home pay of all political office holders.
Arkwright made the call at the weekend at a webinar facilitated by Nigeria-American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC) and Nigerian Think- Thank Group in conjunction with Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Commending the role of NIDCOM so far, the envoy emphasised the role of the Nigerians in the Diaspora and their contributions to national development, stressing that they must be involved in the democratic process.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for being on the path of democratic progress with a lot of improvement in the years to come.
Other speakers in their separate address, also canvassed for more inclusion and participation of Nigerians in the Diaspora in the democratic process in Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Commission will continue to engage the diaspora, particularly women and youth, stressing that the recently approved diaspora policy provides a holistic map for constructive diaspora engagement.
She echoed the need for diaspora voting, adding that the issue was exhaustively tabled at the recent Public hearing on Constitutional amendment.
The NIDCOM boss also advised Nigerians living abroad to speak well about the country, and join hands with the government to contribute their quota to national development.
In her contribution, Dr Veronica Ufogbure, Chair of NAPAC stressed the need to lift Nigeria up, and participate actively in the electoral process as being done in the US and other European countries.
She, however, listed eight areas of interventions which include security, conversation, misinformation, trade, wired fraud and corruption, election process participation, I.T expertise and creation of a Global Nigerian Diaspora Think-Thank group among others.
In his presentation, one of the children of Chief MKO Abiola and winner of June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election, Abdulmumin Abiola, reiterated the fact that Nigeria is a great country and everyone must participate in the democratic process.
Mr Bayo Adedosu, a resident in Canada, stressed the need for Nigerians to show patriotism, while calling on leaders to be accountable.
Mr Tony Isama commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s massive strides in infrastructural development while calling for collaboration among the numerous diaspora groups
Other speakers, Mr Audu Maikori, Dr Nelson Aloya, Mr Bolaji Lewis and Mr Stephen Akinfodu commended the Buhari administration’s recognition of June 12 as democracy Day and urged Nigerians in Diaspora to leverage their influence, time and resources to contribute to the growth and development of the country.