Dabiri-Erewa Calls On Diaspora Athletes To Channel Wealth Into African Youth Empowerment

According to Ireporter Online, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged athletes living abroad to channel their influence and resources into developing the next generation of African talent through sports, mentorship, and education.

She made the call in Abuja while receiving Ejimofor “E.J.” Anosike and his co-founder Ibrahim Famouke Doumbia, during a visit organised under the Meta Africa Sports Foundation.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the foundation for its commitment to youth empowerment across Africa, describing it as a model initiative that demonstrates how diaspora Nigerians and Africans globally can contribute meaningfully to human capital development on the continent. She expressed optimism that such efforts would encourage more professionals abroad to take active roles in mentoring and supporting young people in sports, education, and leadership development.

Speaking during the engagement, Anosike said his drive to give back was inspired by his personal journey and support system. “It took a village to raise me to where I am today. This is my own way of giving back to Nigeria and helping young people discover their potential,” he stated.

He explained that the foundation focuses on empowering youths through sports, education, and life skills training, noting that over the past four to five years, it has mentored hundreds of young Africans. The initiative has also donated nearly 3,000 pairs of basketball shoes, including about 400 distributed to Nigerian youths, while more than 10 beneficiaries are currently pursuing basketball careers in the United States.

Doumbia further revealed that the organisation recently established an academy in Mali, which provides training in sports, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Anosike also disclosed plans to launch Under-16 and Under-18 basketball tournaments in Nigeria later this year, aimed at discovering and nurturing grassroots talent across the country.