Abike-Dabiri, Zubairu, Aregbesola, Headline NiDCOM Inaugural Summit

• The trio were speaking at the virtual inaugural Diaspora Quarterly Lecture Series.

NiDCOM Boss, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Hon. Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Amb Zubairu Dada as well as Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola have emphasized the need to harness the human capital and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora towards the socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria.

The trio were speaking at the virtual inaugural Diaspora Quarterly Lecture Series with the topic: MOBILIZING NIGERIANS IN THE DIASPORA FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

The Chief Host, Chaiman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa explained that the Diaspora Quarterly Lecture Series is projected to be a major aspect of national discourse, where Nigerians can be kept abreast of the Government’s Policies, programmes and Projects in Nigeria and her Diaspora Community. According to her, “It will be expert oriented and participants would also have the opportunity to contribute to the discourse”.

The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, while addressing the session said it is apt to describe Diaspora Nigerians as catalysts that could potentially lead the drive towards accelerated development of Nigeria.

The Minister pointed out that the Nigerian Diaspora Community is well educated, resource endowed, skilled, talented and exposed to global best practices and patriotic in terms of maintaining filial relationships with Nigeria.

The Minister noted that the Establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ; National Diaspora Policy; Constitution of Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Diaspora Affairs, building and strengthening ties with the Diaspora; Diaspora Voting, National Diaspora Day Celebrations and Establishment of the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers” have led to the numerous contributions from our Diaspora on Health, Education, sports, Entertainment, ICT and Agriculture”.

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Also speaking, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, enumerated the achievements and sweeping reforms embarked upon by the Ministry and its Parastatals particularly the Nigerian Immigration Service.The former Osun State Governor said that the Ministry has established Front Offices in some selected airports in Nigeria.

On applications and issuance of Passports, the Interior Minister says the shortage of passports will soon be a thing of the past as they are working hard to resolve it.

“All passports application to be made online and passports will take two weeks and applicants will be informed via emails and our affiliates would have passports support centers”, the Minister explained.

Some Participants across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe UK and the Americas asked questions on current issues facing Nigeria ranging from insecurity, epileptic power supply, issuance of National ID cards, Diaspora Voting, Constitution of the Diaspora Board members of NIDCOM, Diaspora engagements as well as foreign direct investments among others.

The issues raised were well clarified by the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs and the Chairman/CEO NIDCOM Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that over three thousand participants hooked virtually to the Inaugural Diaspora Quarterly Lecture Series.