The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to think home, saying their contributions to the economy could not be ignored.
Kalu, who gave the advice when he met with selected members of the Nigerian community in South Africa on Sunday at the Nigerian Consulate in Sandton, Johannesburg, said their contributions to the governance of the country was also important.
The meeting was held before Kalu’s inauguration into the 20-year-old Pan-African Parliament in Pretoria, South Africa at the 3rd Ordinary Session of the 6th Parliament.
“Nigerians in Diaspora are contributing heavily to our economy. And when we want to do anything in government, your views are very important. You cannot be ignored, you cannot be neglected,’’ he said.
Kalu, who said that he once lived in South Africa, and later relocated home to serve as a local government council chairman before becoming a member of the National Assembly, advised Nigerians in the Diaspora to be part of what is happening in their country.
He said President Bola Tinubu was working with the National Assembly and other arms of government to ensure that national objectives were achieved.
“If there are issues you know that need government intervention, let me be your link and we will make the road easier. But make sure that what you are bringing is what will project the image of our country, not to bring us down,’’ Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker urged Nigerians in South Africa to respect the country’s laws, rules and regulations, adding: “You cannot cause agitation in your host country. It is not projecting Nigeria well’’.
He said the National Assembly would send a legislative team to parley with its South African counterpart on the killing of Nigerians in that country, noting that it would happen when the South African parliament was fully formed after their election.
In her speech, Mrs Doris Ikeri-Solarin, the President, Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA), said one of their greatest concerns was Police brutality against Nigerians.
“This needs to get to our President. The Nigerian government needs to step in because we have lost so many breadwinners,’’ she said.
She also called on the Nigerian government to make the process of passport renewal easy, saying it would assist Nigerians in South Africa to get permits from the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa.
She commended Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa for his efforts to unite the Nigerian community in that country.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa is divided and it has slowed down progress. We have bigger issues and challenges facing us here. We thank the Acting High Commissioner for his efforts to unite us,’’ she said.
