LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered that the group, which is visiting the country under the aegis of the New Nigeria Initiative In the Diaspora, is expected to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan today after which it would make its activities known through a world press conference on Sunday.
The Coordinator and chairman of the group, Chief Peter Mozie, who spoke on behalf of the group in Abuja, said that the group was made of Nigerian experts and friends of Nigerians who had come to explore the development opportunities in the country.
He said that his group was set to reverse the brain drain of 1990s to brain gain, adding that the present government under President Jonathan had assured them of the enabling environment.
He confirmed that world leaders including former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, Founder of Microsoft, Mr. Bill Gates and other reputable world citizens have keyed into the "Friends of Nigeria Project", which is also driving the brain gain initiative.
According to Chief Mozie, "A great deal of us including myself left Nigeria not because we don't have the love of Nigeria but because of the corruption and other evils. We left for places we felt we could get justice and where our energies could be better appreciated."
"Now, we have been watching the steps taken so far by the present administration under President Goodluck Jonathan. We are beginning to see the elements of what would give us justice and we feel there is hope."
He added that the group was not only willing to repatriate its expertise to the country but that the members would also contribute positively to the democratic growth of Nigeria. He said the group would be interacting with a variety of stakeholders.
He confirmed that discussions between members of the group who are experts in different fields would centre on economic development, electoral system improvement, science, information technology and infrastructural development.
He said that a number of Nigerians, who left during the oppressive days of the military, had acquired expertise in various fields, adding that with their return, a practical way of resolving the brain drain, through brain gain was in the offing.
The coordinator also confirmed that besides contributing positively to the growth of Nigerian democratic space, the Diaspora Nigerians who have doctors, engineers, professionals, educationists, lawyers and other experts would be investing billions of Naira in the country.
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