By Faith Obams, JKNewsMedia Intern
CALLS FOR shared responsibility in building a prosperous Nigeria echoed strongly as President Bola Tinubu addressed members of the Nigerian community in Japan.
Speaking on Thursday at the Kahala Hotel and Resort in Yokohama, the president urged Nigerians in the diaspora to channel their expertise and resources towards consolidating national development and strengthening the country’s growth.
The interactive meeting, held on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), brought together professionals and entrepreneurs from diverse sectors.
The gathering offered the president an opportunity to outline his administration’s achievements while assuring his audience of an unrelenting commitment to economic reforms.
Expressing delight at meeting what he described as a vibrant representation of Nigeria’s diversity, President Tinubu said his government was determined to make the country conducive for all citizens.
He highlighted ongoing reforms designed to stabilise the economy, attract investment, and expand opportunities.
The president added that under his leadership Nigeria is on the rise again, stressing that governance requires both vision and action.
To underscore the scope of his administration’s initiatives, President Tinubu invited senior officials to address the audience.
Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, spoke on government programmes in the sector, while the executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, provided insight into technological and industrial development.
Wale Tinubu, the president’s nephew, also offered perspectives on how recent reforms have improved competitiveness, drawn investment, and bolstered the stock market.
Highlighting progress in services that affect Nigerians both at home and abroad, the president pointed to improvements in passport issuance, noting that the process has become more efficient for residents and the diaspora. He reaffirmed his administration’s priority to ensure every Nigerian feels the positive impact of change, particularly through reforms that touch daily lives.
“I am happy to listen to you. I’m happy to report that many of our people are returning home. Yes, for economic reasons, some people might decide to stay away; it’s a fundamental right of the individual, but for the economic growth and opportunity available in Nigeria, don’t stay away. Your contribution is very much needed. If you stay away, who will build it?” President Tinubu asked.
He stressed that national development cannot be the sole responsibility of government, but rather a shared duty that requires citizens at home and abroad to work together.
The president further encouraged the diaspora community to serve as ambassadors for Nigeria by projecting the country positively in their engagements overseas. “If we don’t join hands and work together, then we’ve lost the hope of being the leaders we are supposed to be,” he cautioned.
The president emphasised that the strength of Nigerian citizenship is defined not only by possession of a passport but by character and commitment to the nation’s progress.
He warned that negative portrayals of the country undermine development efforts and discourage investment and partnerships.
On the economy, President Tinubu assured the audience that key fundamentals had stabilised, with reforms underway to unlock opportunities for investment and job creation. He added that the government was reversing the trend of medical tourism through investments in healthcare infrastructure and expanded access to quality services at home.
Members of the Nigerian community in Japan welcomed the engagement, with several participants expressing satisfaction with the pace of government reforms.
They pledged to seek greater involvement in Nigeria’s economic and social transformation. Emeka Ebogota, President of the Nigerian Union in Japan, thanked the president for meeting with them and affirmed his members’ support for ongoing efforts to reposition the country.
Other notable attendees included John Ologbotsere, recipient of a Japanese national award for electrotechnical standardisation; Kingsley Kabuyashi, entrepreneur and investor; as well as businesspeople, doctors, and students.
The president was accompanied by senior government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of Budget, Atiku Bagudu; and Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite. Also present were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed, alongside other senior officials and private sector leaders.
