Admin l Wednesday, March 17, 2021
ABUJA, Nigeria – Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has apologized for the agony of Nigerians in Diaspora, most especially people of Tiv descent, following a petition they issued on the floor of the house on Thursday, 11th March 2021.
Attempt by Lawmaker, representing Gwer East, Gwer West Federal Constituency, Hon. Mark Gbillah was on feet tabling the petition when Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ahmed Wase, shot him down severally and ruled against even against the rules of the house, stating that it is impossible for Nigerians in the US to know and speak on what is taking place in Nigeria.
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The Deputy Speaker’s attitude sparked a lot of reactions on the social media with many questioning his rationale for saying that Nigerians in the Diaspora have no say in what is happening in Nigeria even with Diaspora remittance totaling over USD 7 billion.
Hon. Mark Gbillah had on Channels TV called on the Deputy Speaker to tender unreserved apology to Nigerians in the Diaspora and the Tiv people who have become refugees in their land on account of Fulani herders who have chased them out of their farmlands.
He also said that the petition was in respect of N10 billion which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said has been earmarked for Internally Displaced People, IDPs in Benue State but was yet to be released and wondered if the Federal Government is paying lip service to the plight of Tiv.
Akande-Sadipe who Chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, noted that the Committee has received the petitions and has begun investigation on them.
“Your numerous petitions and messages have been well received by me, compiled and is being investigated by the Leadership of the House and the Diaspora Committee. This issue is of utmost importance to the House of Representatives and it will be resolved in a matter of days.” She said.
Akande Sadipe stressed that the House would continue to value and prioritize the needs and requests of Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora.
