₦airaland Forum

PresidentMUGABE:
The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development

On Friday, July 10, 2026, I had the honour of delivering the keynote address at Mandela Hall, African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, on _The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development across Africa.

Africa is a continent of immense riches. Indeed, it is the richest continent in the world, not only because of its vast mineral resources but also because of its greatest asset, its people. It is the second largest continent by landmass, after Asia, covering more than 30 million square kilometres. It is also the second most populous continent, with over 1.5 billion people. Significantly, more than one billion of these are young people in their productive years, making Africa home to the largest youthful workforce in the world.

When this demographic advantage is combined with nearly one billion hectares of arable land, about 60% of which remains uncultivated, it becomes clear that Africa possesses everything required not only to feed itself but also to become the food capital of the world.

Regrettably, despite this enormous potential, Africa remains home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people. Of the approximately 800 million people living in extreme poverty globally, nearly 60% are in Africa. That is about 480 million people, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the countries most affected. In other words, nearly one in every three Africans lives in extreme poverty. Likewise, in multidimensional poverty, Africa continues to bear the greatest burden.

The question, therefore, is simple. With all these advantages, why has Africa not been able to lift its people out of poverty?

It means there is a missing link. That missing link is Competent Leadership with Capacity, Compassion, Character, and Commitment to good governance.

What Africa needs is leadership that will rise to the challenge and drive the continent in the right direction. This means competent leadership with character, capacity, compassion and commitment to begin turning the continent around. When we get leadership right, everything else begins to change. We start realising our true potential.

So, what is the role of the Diaspora African in this journey?
You have an enormous role to play.

Because you live in societies where institutions largely work, where democracy is strengthened by accountability and where systems function more effectively, you have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help build Africa. It is time to become stronger advocates for good governance. Even where you cannot vote, your voices matter. They should be heard both at home and abroad whenever things are going wrong on our continent. Stand firmly for what is right. Speak truth to the leaders who visit you. Let them know where they are getting it wrong. That is what some of us have continued to do.

The contribution of the African diaspora extends far beyond advocacy. History teaches us that many of the world’s great economic transformations were driven, in part, by their diaspora communities.

Japan offers one example. Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the country embraced modernisation and benefited immensely from Japanese scholars, professionals and citizens who studied and worked abroad, especially in Germany, before returning home to drive the technological transformation for which Japan is admired today.

China presents another remarkable example. It was under Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, beginning in 1978, that China embraced education, innovation and global engagement. These reforms created opportunities for the Chinese diaspora to contribute significantly to the country’s extraordinary economic transformation. In 1980, China had more people living in poverty than Africa. Today, China has reduced extreme poverty dramatically, while Africa continues to struggle with the challenge.

China has less than 10% of the figure living in extreme poverty in Africa.

India also demonstrates what is possible. Its diaspora physicians and medical professionals played a significant role in developing a healthcare system that has made India one of the world’s leading destinations for medical tourism. Africa has countless brilliant doctors and healthcare professionals across the diaspora who possess the knowledge and experience to help achieve similar progress. What remains essential is the creation of an enabling environment that will attract them home.

To that end, I called on Diaspora Africans to remain actively engaged in shaping the democratic future of our continent. Their voices matter in advancing free, fair and credible elections across Africa. Elections conducted with integrity are the foundation of legitimate governance. They create the pathway to competent leadership capable of delivering the policies, institutions and opportunities our people deserve.
When we create the enabling environment necessary for sustainable development, we start unlocking Africa's potential.

Let us therefore work together, those at home and those abroad, to build a continent defined not by its challenges, but by its achievements, its unity, peace and its shared prosperity.

A NEW Nigeria is POssible.

- PO

PresidentMUGABE:
The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development

On Friday, July 10, 2026, I had the honour of delivering the keynote address at Mandela Hall, African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, on _The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development across Africa.

Africa is a continent of immense riches. Indeed, it is the richest continent in the world, not only because of its vast mineral resources but also because of its greatest asset, its people. It is the second largest continent by landmass, after Asia, covering more than 30 million square kilometres. It is also the second most populous continent, with over 1.5 billion people. Significantly, more than one billion of these are young people in their productive years, making Africa home to the largest youthful workforce in the world.

When this demographic advantage is combined with nearly one billion hectares of arable land, about 60% of which remains uncultivated, it becomes clear that Africa possesses everything required not only to feed itself but also to become the food capital of the world.

Regrettably, despite this enormous potential, Africa remains home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people. Of the approximately 800 million people living in extreme poverty globally, nearly 60% are in Africa. That is about 480 million people, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the countries most affected. In other words, nearly one in every three Africans lives in extreme poverty. Likewise, in multidimensional poverty, Africa continues to bear the greatest burden.

The question, therefore, is simple. With all these advantages, why has Africa not been able to lift its people out of poverty?

It means there is a missing link. That missing link is Competent Leadership with Capacity, Compassion, Character, and Commitment to good governance.

What Africa needs is leadership that will rise to the challenge and drive the continent in the right direction. This means competent leadership with character, capacity, compassion and commitment to begin turning the continent around. When we get leadership right, everything else begins to change. We start realising our true potential.

So, what is the role of the Diaspora African in this journey?
You have an enormous role to play.

Because you live in societies where institutions largely work, where democracy is strengthened by accountability and where systems function more effectively, you have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help build Africa. It is time to become stronger advocates for good governance. Even where you cannot vote, your voices matter. They should be heard both at home and abroad whenever things are going wrong on our continent. Stand firmly for what is right. Speak truth to the leaders who visit you. Let them know where they are getting it wrong. That is what some of us have continued to do.

The contribution of the African diaspora extends far beyond advocacy. History teaches us that many of the world’s great economic transformations were driven, in part, by their diaspora communities.

Japan offers one example. Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the country embraced modernisation and benefited immensely from Japanese scholars, professionals and citizens who studied and worked abroad, especially in Germany, before returning home to drive the technological transformation for which Japan is admired today.

China presents another remarkable example. It was under Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, beginning in 1978, that China embraced education, innovation and global engagement. These reforms created opportunities for the Chinese diaspora to contribute significantly to the country’s extraordinary economic transformation. In 1980, China had more people living in poverty than Africa. Today, China has reduced extreme poverty dramatically, while Africa continues to struggle with the challenge.

China has less than 10% of the figure living in extreme poverty in Africa.

India also demonstrates what is possible. Its diaspora physicians and medical professionals played a significant role in developing a healthcare system that has made India one of the world’s leading destinations for medical tourism. Africa has countless brilliant doctors and healthcare professionals across the diaspora who possess the knowledge and experience to help achieve similar progress. What remains essential is the creation of an enabling environment that will attract them home.

To that end, I called on Diaspora Africans to remain actively engaged in shaping the democratic future of our continent. Their voices matter in advancing free, fair and credible elections across Africa. Elections conducted with integrity are the foundation of legitimate governance. They create the pathway to competent leadership capable of delivering the policies, institutions and opportunities our people deserve.
When we create the enabling environment necessary for sustainable development, we start unlocking Africa's potential.

Let us therefore work together, those at home and those abroad, to build a continent defined not by its challenges, but by its achievements, its unity, peace and its shared prosperity.

A NEW Nigeria is POssible.

- PO

Saturnalia:
I don’t believe anything Amerika says because the United Snakes of Amerika is the biggest Terrorist Financier in the Universe.

Jolani is currently the President of Syria courtesy of your favorite “Terrorist Police”.

helinues:
This judgement is just like giving them some excuses to make. Peter Obi or NDC is jot a threat to president Tinubu's reelection.

The court should have considered the sensitivity of the case

What should happen to all the aspirants contesting under NDC now?

yarimo:
Supreme leader of NDC go defend your party in federal high court lokoja isn't that simple ? Peter obi is not serious about any contest in 2027 he is after that former presidential candidate title only.

Pious101:
Are U asking of what use is a model which he has observe?

If U had listen with open mind U will know that he is stating that going to prison shouldn't being the end of ones career, ambition or desire of what one should be.

He is stating that institution create an avenue where ex-convict who have been rehabilitated can also work within an environment without stereotype.

Now as a presidential candidate who have studied d model, he intend to introduce such a system in Nigeria.

TemplarLandry:
Wọ́n ńpè ẹ́ l'ólè, ò ń gbé ọmọ ẹran ṣe'ré. Hahaa.

Kushites:
Excuses have started already?

You've not even won yet, you're already telling Nigerians not to expect much from you.

CHAI......

This country is finished..

Imagine if he wins and fails to deliver say 24/7 power?

He will say he didn't realise how complex the power issue was till he got in!

Benbellamor:
She's an activist now, but wanted to be a senator

Benbellamor:
She's an activist now, but wanted to be a senator

abc115:
The old woman who defeated Aisha Yesufu in the Abuja NDC Senatorial primaries has no social media account, she doesn't go on TV stations to rant like a pregnant racoon.

She has the structure and Aisha has social media likes and shares and elections are not won on social media.

Upon all the gragragra 😂

✅Grandma who has never appeared on live TV
✅Grandma who has never tweeted
✅Grandma who has never condemned Tinubu
✅Grandma who has not rejected the national anthem

✅Defeated noise maker, Aisha Yesufu 😂

Politics no be gragragra.

Jayhome24:
No need telling them. Just primary election produced over 10m votes for Tinubu pls what else?

We told obi severally not to waste his time but he is always a defiant and he will be humiliated the second time.

Polling units is not on NL or on Facebook we have done our ground work and we have secured the numbers we required we are only looking for extra that s all.

4+4=> 8 even 9, 10, 12, 16 if care is not taken

We told dem we don finished the job tey tey.

LibertyRep:
While having enough raba stuffed in tax haven. Abi where Panama dey again.

This was how Buhari was drinking Milo with Osinbajo.

This format don cast abeg.

Naijahero1:
Please brother, give me something useful to do.

yarimo:
Peter obi is just after that former presidential candidate tag

WizardOfNG:
Lol. Another round of obsessing over fantasies and delusional scenarios has just begun. It will always end in tears

Beremx:
Watch how Tinubu and his gang of devourers create a faction of NDC.

God bless Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwakwanso

Truths9ja:
EXTRA: ‘Don’t bully us’ — NDC support group asks Obidients to be cordial ahead of Obi’s planned defection

A support group of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has implored Obidients, supporters of Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to be “cordial and friendly” amid his planned defection.

In an X post on Sunday, the group appealed for mutual respect, saying it had been on the political platform before the anticipated influx of new supporters.

Lithiumite:
"He who comes to equity must come with clean hands" a group of people that wants ro lead a country should be meticulous enough to ensure they do the right things when organising a political party........if obi and his co charlatans didn't attempt to hijack a political party and trample upon the rights of the founding members,nobody will see any loophole to exploit.

COEMMA:
The shocker of Nigeria politics
Tinubu's nightmare
APC's heartbreaker
Any party's selling point
PO is a tsunami
OK is the answer to the average and poor Nigerian

AllBlack:
Wishy Washy Thinking.
Obi just wants the mango juice, he doesn't want to climb the tree.

franchasng:
So Nigeria should be abandoned for the criminals, rogues, the political godfathers and born looters ati kleptomaniacs to devour forever?


well done

Lanruze:
There is a playbook which is more Machiavellian that PO is playing and it's indeed interesting.

ColdHunter:
What is Tinubu or APC's ideology?

kaywhy09:
Okay now, who is next in line

kaywhy09:
Okay now, who is next in line