The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has appealed to Nigerians in Diaspora to show more interest and be keen in seeing Nigeria take the lead in the fight against corruption on the African continent.
Magu made this charge while receiving a delegation of Nigerians in Diaspora led by New York based Dr. Ifeanyi Obiakor at the EFCC Head Office, Jabi, Abuja.
Obiakor, Vice Chairman and Promoter, America Hospital and University of Medicine and Sciences, Abuja also used the opportunity to submit a petition in respect of an alleged N2.5billion fraud involving some individuals under the umbrella of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON.
According to the EFCC Chairman, the Commission plays a significant role in making national investment more secure, safeguarding the business environment and in protecting Nigeria’s international reputation through the prevention and detection of economic and financial crimes.
“Be informed also of the whistle-blower policy which has come to stay. You can play a unique role by virtue of your positions. You are also entitled to the percentage accruable to the blower under the policy”, Magu added. He promised the establishment of a Help Desk to attend to the Inquiries of the Nigerians in Diaspora.
He further stressed the important role that Nigerians in the Diaspora can play as it relates to the extradition of looters who are taking refuge in various jurisdictions outside of the country.
Highlighting the human and natural resources of Nigeria, Magu cited example where a visiting Nigerian in Canada suddenly took ill. “When the Nigerian was rushed to the hospital, the best doctor who was called to attend to the life threatening situation was a Nigerian. Please, bring these expertise home for development”, Magu requested.
Earlier, Dr. Obiakor commended the remarkable achievements recorded by the EFCC in the fight against corruption.
According to him, with the efforts of the anti-graft agency, “Nigerians in Diaspora would find it more satisfying to bring investment back home. Let the EFCC continue to reassure us and build our confidence that our investment back at home shall be secured, that we would not be defrauded of our hard earned income. Such assurance by the EFCC would inspire confidence”.
Dr. Obiakor who said there was so much to be done in Nigeria by Nigerians in the Diaspora called on the Nigerian government to create a “Diaspora Village” where Nigerians in the Diaspora can take advantage of, come back home and invest in Real Estate.
Quoting from a World Bank report titled: Migration and Development Brief which says that Nigerians in Diaspora (Nigerians Living Abroad) remitted back home a whooping $22 billion in 2017, he said, “This is no small money”.
He noted that the amount was the highest in the Sub-Saharan region and the fifth highest in the world.
He said: “The amount represents 10 percent marginal increase in comparison to the 2016 remittance which stood at $19.64 billion.
“This cash flow back home by Nigerians in Diaspora was the highest in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. We only need assurance by an agency like the EFCC to continue to make remittance for the overall good of the country”, he explained.