The newly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Community Greater Manchester (NCGM), Otunba Dele Bashiru-Kaka, has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other development agencies to promote youth development and critical development initiatives.
Bashiru-Kaka, who succeeds Otunba Abiola Kumoye, said his administration would pursue an ambitious reform agenda aimed at leveraging the expertise, investments, technology and human capital of Nigerians in the diaspora for sustainable development.
He said the administration would establish stronger institutional links with relevant development agencies to create opportunities for professionals in Manchester to contribute meaningfully to development programmes in Nigeria and across Africa.
“Our administration will be anchored on a united leadership rooted in quality, inclusivity and a shared unity of purpose,” Bashiru-Kaka said, stressing that strict adherence to the community’s constitution and transparency would guide the administration’s activities.
According to him, the new administration’s development blueprint is built around four key areas: global partnerships, youth and talent circulation, structured local welfare and institutional stewardship.
Under global partnerships, the NCGM leadership plans to deepen engagement with NiDCOM, the SDGs and other development agencies to facilitate sustainable development projects and strengthen diaspora contributions to Nigeria’s development.
On youth and talent circulation, Bashiru-Kaka said his administration would promote educational, career and mentorship opportunities designed to transform the traditional concept of “brain drain” into “brain circulation”.
He said the initiative would support the development of young people while creating avenues for Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to transfer knowledge and expertise to the next generation, in line with SDGs 4 and 8.
The chairman also pledged to strengthen welfare structures within the Nigerian community, particularly by developing dedicated support systems for elderly diaspora residents, in line with SDG 3 on good health and well-being.
On institutional stewardship, Bashiru-Kaka promised to introduce transparent financial frameworks, audited performance measures and direct community feedback mechanisms to strengthen accountability and public confidence in the organisation, in line with SDG 16.
He said the administration was committed to building a more united, transparent and development-focused Nigerian community in Greater Manchester while creating stronger connections between the diaspora and development initiatives in Nigeria.
