By Ebi Kesiena
President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan has restated the Assembly’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians living anywhere in the Diaspora.
The Senate President stated this during the official presentation of a compendium entitled “600 Diaspora icons at 60” by Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Management (NIDCOM) Staff in Abuja.
Lawan commended the doggedness, passion and determination of the NIDCOM boss in bringing diaspora issues to the front burner right from her days in the Parliament and now as Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM.
On Diaspora voting, Senator Lawan expressed optimism that Nigerians anywhere in the world would soon freely exercise their franchise once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is through with the bill.
This position was corroborated by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, emphasizing that the National Assembly is working with INEC to put mechanisms that will ensure Nigerians anywhere in the world exercise their freedom to vote.
He however gave assurances that the 9th Senate is the Nigerian Senate that ensures Bills that are people-centred are considered and passed.
Senator Lawan promised to support NIDCOM in its enormous task of engaging the Diaspora, especially with the adoption and ratification of the National Diaspora Policy in tandem with Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.
Presenting the compendium, Dabiri-Erewa said it is a compilation of extraordinary and exceptional exploits of Nigerians in the Diaspora in different sectors, though the list is endless.
She further said NIDCOM is primarily building trust with the Nigerian Diaspora global community to fast track investment back home through various programs.
She added that the National Diaspora Investment Summit has attracted over 300 Nigerians investing in different sectors of the economy.
Other Programs of the Commission, she added, include Diaspora Door of Return, Diaspora Data Mapping, Diaspora Portal Mechanism, Diaspora Lecture Series, Annual National Diaspora Day, and appointment of 33 Diaspora Focal Point Officers across the States, among others.
