The Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says Nigeria must rise to the challenge of protecting its citizens outside the country.
She said the establishment of a diaspora affairs commission would solve the challenge and play a big role in catering to the needs of Nigerians outside the country.
A statement on Wednesday said Dabiri-Erewa spoke in Washington D.C. where she received the African Bridge-Builders Award by the Diaspora African Forum.
The lawmaker, who noted that no fewer than 24 countries had established ministries of diaspora affairs, added that it was important for Nigeria to have a diaspora commission to take care of its citizens in the diaspora.
She said, “We will continue to engage Nigerians in the diaspora. We will also continue to see how the country can benefit from it and ensure that they are part of the policies of government.
“We will continue to support Nigerians in the diaspora and give them the rightful place in our society.”
Dabiri-Erewa said the award given to her was not just for the committee, but also for the House of Representatives.
“It is a good thing that our committee was recongised in Washington D.C. It only tells you that we have to continue working hard. Diaspora issues are now on the front burners worldwide,” she said.
The lawmaker said her committee had facilitated the return of Nigerians from Libya during the civil conflict in 2013 and intervened in the plight of Nigerians in South African prisons.
She added that the committee also waded in the killings of Nigerian students in Dubai, Ghana, Cyprus, among others.
She said the establishment of a diaspora affairs commission would solve the challenge and play a big role in catering to the needs of Nigerians outside the country.
A statement on Wednesday said Dabiri-Erewa spoke in Washington D.C. where she received the African Bridge-Builders Award by the Diaspora African Forum.
The lawmaker, who noted that no fewer than 24 countries had established ministries of diaspora affairs, added that it was important for Nigeria to have a diaspora commission to take care of its citizens in the diaspora.
She said, “We will continue to engage Nigerians in the diaspora. We will also continue to see how the country can benefit from it and ensure that they are part of the policies of government.
“We will continue to support Nigerians in the diaspora and give them the rightful place in our society.”
Dabiri-Erewa said the award given to her was not just for the committee, but also for the House of Representatives.
“It is a good thing that our committee was recongised in Washington D.C. It only tells you that we have to continue working hard. Diaspora issues are now on the front burners worldwide,” she said.
The lawmaker said her committee had facilitated the return of Nigerians from Libya during the civil conflict in 2013 and intervened in the plight of Nigerians in South African prisons.
She added that the committee also waded in the killings of Nigerian students in Dubai, Ghana, Cyprus, among others.
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