The Focal Person on Diaspora Matters to Kwara State Governor, HE Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,
Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Sawyerr is in Kwara state to meet various heads of ministries, departments and agencies in order to dialogue with them to see how the Diaspora Office can partner with them in several areas.
Her visit is coming after attending the 4th annual Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit organized by the non-profit voluntary organization, Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) held in Abuja November 16 & 17, 2021. The Theme of the summit was “Diaspora Partnerships and Linkages for Post-COVID Economic Growth.”
The purpose of the Summit is to establish a platform where Diaspora investors can interact with potential sponsors, partners, business promoters and the government.
It was an avenue where potential investors (foreign) met with various private sector operators in the areas of Agribusiness, Creative, Sports and Entertainment, Education, Health Care, ICT/Fintech, Infrastructure, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas and Telecoms, among others.
The summit was an opportunity for businesses and various states to showcase and attract potential investors towards the overall development of the country. Many Diaspora investors that understand the Nigeria business climate were on hand to hear pitches from local businesses looking to grow their businesses by partnering with potential investors.
Sawyerr presence at the summit gave her a first-hand experience and opportunity to better understand the potential values that Kwara State can unlock through facilitation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to help with job creation and employment opportunities for Kwarans, and potential knowledge transfer opportunities available.
The summit was well attended by special advisers and senior special assistants in the capacity of Diaspora focal person from across many states in Nigeria, thereby offering opportunity for them to interact, exchange ideas, and build working relationships.
Sawyerr, whose office serves as a bridge between the Kwara Diaspora community and the state government, holds Bachelor’s and Master Degrees in Economics, and a doctoral degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.
As the Focal Person on Diaspora Matters to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, since her appointment, her office has held several town hall meetings with Kwarans in Diaspora on issues ranging from awareness on Government initiatives such as the social investment programme known as NG-CARES and the current state of security in the state. At the town hall meetings, government officials were invited to discuss on vital issues that are germane to the development of the state.
Dr. Sawyerr distinguished herself in her service delivery to the Diaspora community and justify the confidence reposed in her by HE Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Her efforts is shrinking the gap communication gap between the Diaspora family and the state government by bringing the government closer to the people.
Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made the diaspora community a priority by appointing the first ever in Kwara State the Focal Person on Diaspora Matters. This is in line with his promise to the Diaspora Community in his engagement with them prior to his inauguration into office. The diaspora community continue to rate the performance of HE Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq high in areas of delivery of service and improving the quality of life of Kwarans. Encomium continue to pour in from all corners of the globe as the Diaspora community generally sees a man of vision and conviction dedicated to laying a solid foundation upon which to rebuild Kwara State and taking steps to fundamentally strengthen the various institutions in the state.
The diaspora community is especially grateful that the Governor continue to empower and put focus on the usually neglected in our democracy such as women, youths, indigents aged folks, and Physically Challenged members of the society through targeted programmes that has resulted in less demands from home to the diaspora community. The diaspora community is grateful to the people first agenda of the Kwara State government.
