NiDCOM, Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia Deepen Collaboration on Diaspora Affairs

NiDCOM, Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia Deepen Collaboration on Diaspora Affairs
Seek Better Welfare, Engagement for Nigerians in Kingdom
Urges Nigerians in Saudi Arabia to Register on Diaspora Data Portal

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen their collaboration on diaspora engagement and the welfare of Nigerians living in the Kingdom.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the commitment was reached when Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Yakubu N. Gambo, and the Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I.J. Nayaya, visited NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

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The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Violet Nwosu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.

Dabiri-Erewa assured the envoys of the commission’s continued support for the Nigerian Mission, particularly in improving engagement with Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and promoting their contributions to the country.

Gambo said diaspora affairs had remained a priority since he assumed office, noting that Nigeria’s foreign policy recognises the importance of Nigerians living abroad.

He said the Kingdom was home to a large Nigerian community comprising doctors, engineers, teachers, artisans, traders and families who had lived in Saudi Arabia for generations.

The ambassador also disclosed that the Nigerian Mission had directed various Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia to operate under a single umbrella body to promote unity and make it easier for the Embassy to engage with the community.

However, he identified the plight of Nigerians in prisons and detention centres as one of the challenges facing the Mission.

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According to him, some Nigerians who had completed their prison sentences remained in detention because they were unable to pay outstanding fines required for their release and repatriation.

Nayaya, the Consul General in Jeddah, identified the provision of consular services as another major challenge confronting the Mission.

He said consular officials issue dozens of Emergency Travel Certificates daily to Nigerians held in detention facilities.

The envoy commended NiDCOM for its intervention in the case of Nigerian national Suleiman Alufa and other efforts aimed at assisting Nigerians facing difficulties in Saudi Arabia.

Dabiri-Erewa praised the two diplomats for their efforts to improve engagement with Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and Jeddah, describing the move to bring Nigerian associations under one umbrella as a positive development.

She also urged Nigerians in the Kingdom to register on NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, saying accurate data would help the government plan effectively and engage the diaspora more efficiently.

The NiDCOM chief expressed concern that the achievements of Nigerians abroad often receive less attention than cases involving crime or other negative incidents.

“We only hear about the bad cases; we don’t hear about Nigerians excelling in Saudi Arabia. Now is the time to start celebrating them,” she said.

She further called for increased support for Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad, particularly those dealing with heavy consular responsibilities.

Both NiDCOM and the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians in the Kingdom and strengthening their participation in Nigeria’s national development.