A leading member of Nigeria’s second largest political party has urged members of the diaspora in Ireland to find ways of contributing to the development of their home country despite the odds.
“You must not neglect what is going on back home. You must not neglect the country that failed to carter for you,” Olawale Oshun told Metro Éireann following an international conference organised by the Irish chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Dublin recently.
The former chief whip of the Nigerian National Assembly added that the country is not doing very well, but must find a way forward so that the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“We need to refocus the country,” he said. “Policies are global and Nigerians here [in Ireland] must contribute.”
He also suggested that “a symbiotic relationship should exist between Nigerians” at home and abroad.
According to Oshun, there is strong scope to develop Africa’s most populous nation into an economic hub.
“Nigerians [abroad] must not be discouraged,” he said. “There must also be that expectation that things are getting better and that they can be part of that progress.”
On the issue of corruption, which many have blamed for Nigeria’s dwindling fortunes, Oshun said: “We all agree that corruption is the most serious problem facing our country because it takes away resources from development.”
The former secretary of Nigeria’s exile National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco Abroad) said while the Nigerian government should prioritise corruption in the list of serious issues, Nigerians in the diaspora have a role to play “in getting our stolen money abroad”.
He added that if diaspora Nigerians “do not assist corrupt officials” in hiding their stolen wealth then such graft “could be minimised”. He also strongly advised Ireland and its Government to support Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
Also at the conference, former Mayor of Portlaoise Cllr Rotimi Adebari spoke on the need for diaspora involvement in Nigerian politics.
“I see Nigerians in the diaspora as potential actors that can add value to the efforts undertaken by other players in the promotion of democratisation processes at home,” he said, adding that Nigerian political parties “have an ally in the diaspora to take Nigeria where the founding fathers wanted her to be”.
Olubunmi Salako, chair of the ACN Ireland chapter, praised the party for its success so far.
“The only party that can effectively respond to the needs of the Nigerian masses is the ACN,” she said. “It is also the only party that can restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
“And by the grace of God, our party will not only win more states in the 2015 elections but will also win at the centre, because Nigeria deserves the best.”
