Oba of Ireland Archives

DIASPORA DYNAMICS: UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF NIGERIAN EXPATS FOR ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT- OBA OF DALLAS

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL : February 23rd, 2024

Diaspora Dynamics: Unleashing the Potential of Nigerian Expats for Economic Advancement

“In an increasingly interconnected world, the role of diaspora communities in contributing to their home countries’ development cannot be overstated. Among these global citizens, Nigerian expatriates stand out for their potential to drive economic advancement back home.” these were the words of Akile of Okun-Ade, Yoruba African Kingdom in Dallas, TX, HRM Oba Abimbola Akile Balogun.

Oba Abimbola in his reaction to Push News 24 International questions on the high cost of living in Nigeria delve into the dynamics of the Nigerian diaspora and explores how their talents and resources can be harnessed for national progress.

While unveiling their potential: Nigeria boasts a vast diaspora scattered across the globe, with millions of Nigerians residing in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others. Beyond their numbers, Oba Akile said “Nigerian expatriates possess a wealth of skills, expertise, and financial resources that can be instrumental in propelling the country’s economic growth.”

The revered traditional ruler stressed that “One of the most tangible ways Nigerian expats can contribute to economic advancement is through secured investment and entrepreneurship.”

“Many members of the diaspora have established successful businesses abroad and possess the knowledge and capital to initiate ventures back home. From technology startups to agricultural initiatives, these investments have the potential to create jobs, stimulate innovation, and drive overall economic expansion.”

Concerned about the need of Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building, His Rolyal Majesty was quoted as saying ” in addition to financial contributions, Nigerian expatriates play a crucial role in knowledge transfer and capacity building. Through mentorship programs, partnerships with local institutions, and participation in educational initiatives, diaspora members can facilitate the transfer of skills and expertise in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology. By nurturing talent and empowering local communities, they contribute to building a more robust and competitive workforce”.

According to Akile Diaspora Engagement Initiatives have been one of the areas where his kingdom and members of the Yoruba African Community have created a platform for recognizing the importance of diaspora engagement.

Push News 24 International reports that the Nigerian government and various organizations have launched initiatives to tap into the potential of Nigerian expatriates. These include investment forums, networking events, and policy frameworks aimed at facilitating remittances, easing business regulations, and fostering collaboration between diaspora members and local stakeholders. Such initiatives create avenues for dialogue, partnership, and collective action toward shared development goals.Challenges and Opportunities.

Oba Abimbola also painstakingly said that despite their immense potential, Nigerian expatriates face challenges in fully harnessing their contributions to economic advancement. These include bureaucratic hurdles, regulatory barriers, and concerns about political instability and security risks. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from both the Nigerian government and diaspora communities to create an enabling environment for investment, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

As Nigeria charts its path toward economic advancement and prosperity, leveraging the potential of its diaspora emerges as a strategic imperative. By tapping into the talents, resources, and networks of Nigerian expatriates, the country can unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and inclusive development.

Oba Akile concluded ny saying “With continued collaboration and engagement, the Nigerian diaspora stands poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future economic landscape.”

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DIASPORA OBA SUMMIT : WE AIM TO STRENGTHEN ETHNIC BONDS – AKILE OF DALLAS

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL: February 7th, 2024

DIASPORA OBA SUMMIT : WE AIM TO STRENGTHEN ETHNIC BONDS – AKILE OF DALLAS

“Members drew on emotional resources including cultural affiliations, friendship and family visits, to strengthen ethnic bonds. “It was the creative ingenuity of diaspora members to establish communal and ethnic associations rooted in their own culture”. These were the words of HRM Oba Abimbola Akile Balogun, Oshiloye Ojoye 1, Akile of Okun-Ade, Yoruba African Kingdom in Dallas,Texas.

In an exclusive interview with a main stream online media, the Akile of Dallas who recently returned back to his kingdom in the United States of America after attending the annual retreat of the Council of Oba Yoruba in Diaspora (COD) which was held in Nigeria, stated that pursuing the welfare of the Yorubas in Diaspora has necessitated the need to hold this annual summit inorder to cross- fertilize ideas with stakeholders at homeland.

“Very often, diaspora communities construct identities that distinguished them from their host communities and these identities could be expressed in terms of settlement patterns, social, religious, political and economic institutions and this fits into the adventures of the Yoruba Nation worldwide” Akile said.

The concept of diaspora is used to describe a community, which has a history of migration, possess distinctive cultural practices that distinguished it from the host community and maintain cultural ties with the homeland.

When asked why the need for Obas in diaspora, the highly respected royal father said ” The word diaspora is Greek, meaning scattering.The concept of diaspora is used to describe a community, which has a history of migration, possess distinctive cultural practices that distinguished it from the host community and maintain cultural ties with the homeland, hence, in a bid to deliberately preserve such cultural practices and traditions in foreign countries, the Obaship became an acceptable phenomenon amongst its people”.

“The term Yoruba in diaspora is used here to refer to all people of Yoruba descent who settle outside the shores of the Yoruba homeland but maintain socio-cultural linkages with the homeland or who continue to maintain Yoruba identity”, Akile said.

According to Oba Abimbola the Council of Oba Yoruba in Diaspora is a network that will serve as a mechanism of managing threats of insecurity, cultural survival and preservation of the Yoruba race in foreign lands.

Akile advise Yoruba Nation that inorder to foster unity in our community, we must stick close to the traditions we all claim to be a part of.

“No longer will our Diaspora based culture and customs hold up, if we continue
to stand for using European culture as a lens from which to view African culture. If Eledumare has declared it to be of one’s destiny to be given an exalted position, he/she must be deeply steeped in African culture” Oba Abimbola stressed.

Push News 24 International reports that the Council of Oba Yoruba in Diaspora, is an association of Yoruba traditional rulers who concerns themselves with the welfare of their members and patrons.

From time immemorial, we have Yorubas spreads across the globe dwelling happily with their accepted traditional leaders (Obas).

Aside homeland, We have Yorubas in Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Cote D, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago etc.

With the onset of the Atlantic slave trade, Yoruba people from Nigeria and Benin were forcibly transported to America as slaves. Their religion expanded across many borders — to Trinidad, Cuba, Saint Lucia, Benin, Togo, Brazil, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, to name a few.

the Oriade of Georgia, United States, Oba Bernard Shola Akinrimisi; the traditional ruler of Yoruba in the Republic of Ireland, Oba Saheed Ibrahim Adufe, and the traditional ruler of Yoruba in Liberia, Oba Omobolaji Ogunkoya.

The 2024 annual summit of the Council of Obas-in-Council had in attendance several royal fathers to include Oba Abimbola Akile Balogun, Oshiloye Ojoye 1, Akile of Dallas, Oriade of Georgia, Oba Bernard Shola Akinrimisi; the traditional ruler of Yoruba in Liberia, Oba Omobolaji Ogunkoya, Oodua Gbadewolu I and the traditional ruler of Yoruba in the Republic of Ireland, Oba Saheed Ibrahim Adufe, the Omole of Miami, Florida, Oba Adeleke Adesina, Ori-Ade of Georgia, Oba Akinrimisi Bernard, Oba Germany, Oba Sulaiman Lawal, Oba Adeyinka Daso (Netherlands), Adedayo Yaya Gawa (Cote d’Voire), Oba Aderonmu Sadiq (France), Oba Moshood K.B. Abolade (Gambia), Oba Aderabarin Babajide (Mexico) amongst others.

HRM Alase Oba Adejuyigbe E.A.O Adefunmi, Oloyotunji of Oyotunji Village USA, Paramount Ruler of North American and the Diasporas was however absent.

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