No fewer than 152 individuals from various fields were honoured at the National Diaspora Merit Award (NDMA) 2024, hosted by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The event, which recognised and celebrated the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to national development, was held on July 25-26, 2024.
In his keynote address, Engr. Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Secretary of NiDCOM, emphasised the importance of acknowledging the achievements of Nigerians in the diaspora. “The National Diaspora Merit Award is a national activity of NiDCOM to honour Nigerians in the diaspora who are excelling in various fields of endeavours.”
The NDMA 2024 awardees were selected from a pool of nominations received between November 15, 2023, and February 15, 2024. A select committee screened the nominees, and the Management of NiDCOM approved the final list.
The awardees were recognized in 13 categories, including Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Medicine and Healthcare, Leadership, Media and Entertainment, Philanthropy, Science and Technology, Sports, Transportation, Volunteerism, and Distinguished Service.
The National Diaspora Day (NDD) 2024, which coincided with the NDMA ceremony, marked the 18th edition of the event and the sixth hosted by NiDCOM. The NDD is prescribed by the National Diaspora Policy 2021, Section 2.3.4, to recognize the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to national development.
Engr. Dr. Bassi commended the awardees for their exceptional contributions and encouraged others to emulate their examples. “We must all, as Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, collectively work to develop Nigeria for Nigerians. No foreigner will develop Nigeria for us,” he emphasised.
The NDMA 2024 ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Management, and staff, as well as representatives of the awardees.
The National Diaspora Merit Award serves as a testament to the significant impact of Nigerians in the diaspora on national development. NiDCOM’s efforts to recognize and celebrate their achievements will undoubtedly inspire others to contribute to Nigeria’s growth and progress.
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