Admin l Thursday, July 06, 2017
LONDON, United Kingdom – In the wake of the newly signed Nigerians in Diaspora Commissioned bill by the Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo, the Commandant General of www.nidmecorp.com Mr. Alistair Soyode has described the news as a golden opportunity that more than 15 million Nigerians in Diaspora are waiting for.
Alistair Soyode who has been one of the former Chairmen of the BOT of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDOE) narrated in London that two things in the minds of millions are the Diaspora Commission Bill and the Voting Rights of Nigerians in Diaspora in elections in Nigeria.
The bill was presented about six years ago by the then Chairman Diaspora Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa who is now the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Buhari) on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.
“This is a golden opportunity. We are thrilled and glad about the news and signature on the bill. It is a law now for this commission which should be executed by the leaders of Diaspora Nigerians”. An avenue to coordinate and acts as one place where everything and professionalism should be the golden rule.” Added Alistair on the signed bill.
Also spoke on the bill, The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, in a statement said, “the Diaspora Commission Act establishes the commission under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It has the responsibility to coordinate and organise Nigerians in and from the Diaspora to contribute human capital and material resources, including their expertise, for the development of Nigeria and its constituent states. “It will also provide a database of Nigerians on various fields and potentialities as resource base for Nigeria and the world to draw from, as well as protect the interest of all Nigerians,” he said.
Others who congratulates the Presidency includes the Chairwoman of the Diaspora and Foreign Affairs in House of Representatives Hon. Rita Orji and her counterpart in the Senate, Senator Rose Okon.
Globally are about 26 countries with full ministries for their Diaspora and are able to coordinate the affairs of the teaming interested numbers toward their national developments.
Mr. Soyode called on the government to steady the processing of appointing the relevant and experience team for the commission, people and professional that has the interest of the national brand rather than their own personal gains.
“It is a privilege to be involved for years on the interests of the Diaspora. Now they have a commission ready to build on their collective interest, which is to share their experience, participate in building capacity, contribute to the nation development and make Nigeria a greater nation”.
Alistair went further to explained that the Diaspora Commission is the beginning of better things for Nigeria and seek the second part of the Diaspora request, the approval of Diaspora to vote in subsequent elections as done by many countries around the world with some in Africa.
