The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on its members in the Diaspora to embrace unity as a strategic tool for promoting the party and projecting Nigeria positively on the global stage.
The call was made by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, while delivering a keynote address via Zoom at an economic summit held in New York, United States.
The summit was organised by the Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Diaspora Coordination and Mobilisation, Prof. Tai Balofin.
In his address, Prof. Yilwatda urged APC members across the United States and other countries to work collectively, stressing that unity remains the party’s strongest asset in advancing national development and political cohesion abroad.
The National Chairman further encouraged Diaspora members to utilise the Office of the Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters as a liaison platform for addressing party-related concerns.
He emphasised the critical role of the Diaspora in Nigeria’s progress and commended APC USA for resolving past differences and presenting a united front.
Prof. Yilwatda reaffirmed the appointment of Prof. Tai Balofin as Special Adviser on Diaspora Coordination and Mobilisation, with a mandate for worldwide engagement.
He urged all APC members in the United States and other countries to collaborate fully with Professor Balofin, noting that the APC Diaspora structure remains constitutionally recognised and has never been dissolved.
The National Chairman also called on any group previously operating outside the official framework to realign with the recognised party structure.
He, therefore, expressed appreciation to participants at the summit, including Nigeria’s Consul General, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda; Acting Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Syndoph Endoni; Founder of Women Leaders Support Advancement,Deborah Jan Hornecker, and the Mayor of Linden, New Jersey, Derek Armstead, among other key stakeholders.
In his remarks, Mayor Derek Armstead highlighted the mutual benefits of investment collaboration between Nigeria and the United States. He noted that areas such as Linden, with a significant Nigerian Diaspora population, stand to gain from strengthened bilateral economic relations and people-to-people partnerships.
Also speaking, Prof. Tai Balofin described the summit as a critical platform for uniting the APC globally, mobilising the Nigerian Diaspora, and attracting sustainable investments.
He further reaffirmed the party’s commitment to progressive values, Diaspora empowerment, and stronger Nigeria–U.S. partnerships, adding that the event also advanced ongoing digital membership registration for Nigerians living abroad.