Okonjo-Iweala, Ezekwesili Advise Africans in US

Two Former Ministers have advised Africans in diaspora to be cautious in expecting warm reception in their countries after their sojourn abroad. A United States-based news agency, Empowered Newswire has said.

The former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and ex-Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili spoke in Washington DC, United states of America, at the first World Bank organised meeting with Nigerians and Africans in diaspora.

Okonjo-Iweala and Ezekwesili had been appointed the Managing Director, World Bank and the Vice-President of the bank for Africa respectively.

Iweala said using her own experience as a background “I know you expect that when you get back home people will welcome you with open arms but the opposite may be the case. There are people who have been back there toughening it out and would resent your interference even though you are trying to help.”

However that ”should not stop you, you know when people ask me ‘will you do it again in spite of all those attacks and hostilities towards you? And the answer is a resounding yes.”

She continued ”All I am trying to say is for every customs officer who would not let your luggage in, for every person who thinks you have been here having a picnic and for every negative person, with your help we can put policies in place that would make them do their jobs and improve their opportunities so they become less negative. I would implore you not to stand by and let the negative ones run Africa. You are here to take Africa back.”

But she advised the African Diaspora in the US that there is ”no perfect time” to return or to engage with one‘s country after years abroad.

Said her: ”Everyone says I would wait till things are better or till things improve. Well, yes things are improving and it is very exciting but if you wait till everything is running smoothly then there will be no need for your engagement.”

So I would like to leave you with these last words. Please go out and spread the word about the work of the Diaspora and the AU. And even if you do not leave here with monetary incentive take notes and think about what you can do for the continent.”

In her own remarks, Ezekwesili said “It was a time when African immigrants joined hands with their compatriots in the fight for African nation’s Independence.”

At the post independent period, African economies, she observed, were relatively sound “because then it was in the hands of Africans who had studied abroad.”

“Many Africans were glad to return home to contribute in developing the continent. However by the late 70’s Africans increasingly began to seek greener pastures abroad,” the Vice-President of the Bank added.

She pointed out ”Africa is changing and that is because Africa is on the move and I can tell you why… recent studies show that that something new is on the horizon in Africa and that Africa is growing with the rest of the world with an average growth rate of more than 5.5per cent in the last decade.”

Culled from Nigerian Punch: http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200712032514185