By Ebi Kesiena
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has appealed for calm, following a viral video showing a protest in Ghana, where some citizens called for Nigerians to be deported over alleged misconduct.
This was contained in a statement issued by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
Describing the development as disturbing, Dabiri-Erewa strongly condemned what she termed a “blanket outrage” and generalisation of Nigerians as criminals. “Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves,” she said, adding that those who break the law should be isolated and held accountable without casting aspersions on the wider Nigerian community.
She noted the deep historical and diplomatic ties between Ghana and Nigeria, likening both nations to “Siamese twins,” and emphasised that peace and regional integration under ECOWAS must be preserved.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians residing in Ghana to remain peaceful and avoid provocation, assuring that the matter is already being addressed at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
She also cautioned against the spread of inciteful rhetoric and debunked rumours of attacks on Nigerian-owned properties in Ghana, urging the public to disregard unverified videos.
Commending the proactive engagement by both Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissioners, she expressed confidence in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue amicably.
