The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NiDOA) has called on the Nigerian government to establish the Diaspora Board to enhance effective engagement with Nigerian citizens living abroad.
The Continental Chair of NiDO-Americas, Dr. Victor Ubani, who made the call, also stressed that establishing the NiDO board would enable Nigerians living abroad to work closely with the government and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
Dr. Ubani noted that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) was established through the 2017 Establishment Act, and it was now essential to establish the NiDO Board to fully realise its mandate.
“The NiDO Board’s mandate includes engaging Nigerians in Diaspora in policies, projects, and development initiatives, as well as utilising their human capital and material resources for Nigeria’s socio-economic, cultural, and political development,” he noted.
He reiterated that the failure to establish the board in the past had weakened the organisation’s efforts to advance initiatives for the progress of Nigeria.
The NiDO boss described the Federal Government’s call for NiDO to work closely with it as apt, saying the establishment of the Board would enable compatriots to promote Nigeria and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
“Compatriots living outside the country understand the dynamics of problems faced in NiDO-Europe and NiDO-Africa, among others. I believe NiDCOM was set up to enable the government to have a Board, consisting of at least 85 per cent of compatriots living in the diaspora.
“For many years, this has not happened, and it is essential to boost opportunities for all Nigerians living outside the country to play a significant role in Nigeria’s development, now and in the future,” he said.
According to Ubani, the establishment of the NiDCOM Board was crucial to validating recognised individuals who could tackle fundamental issues affecting the organisation outside the country.
He further disclosed that the body is holding its Annual General Meeting to unite with members and partners in building a stronger diasporal community.
“This year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) offers an opportunity for us to reunite as a big diaspora family. The special guest of honour will be Mr Wole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.”
Expected guests at the AGM include Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission; Mr Tochukwu Okere, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters; and Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and current OPEC Governor of Nigeria.