It is mandatory for nations that are serious about foreign policy to take their external affairs seriously and have accredited diplomats sent by such state as its permanent representative in a foreign country as Nigeria has across countries all over the globe to bolster the relationship between countries but also to protect it’s interests and that of it’s citizens in foreign territories.
It’s also why the ministry of foreign affairs is the government department responsible for the state’s foreign policy and relations, diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country’s citizens who are abroad mostly referred to as Diasporans and in Nigeria, a commission was established to cater for overseeing the affairs of Nigeria Diasporans named NIDCOM.
Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) under it’s founding CEO/Chairman, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been playing her roles and discharging her duties effectively but have been overwelmed and limited in the aspect of doing more for Nigerian Diasporans because of lack of power and resources needed for such duties as it encompasses variety of issues directly affecting Nigerians across the globe.
A proposed Ministry of Diaspora Affairs is critically needed with NIDCOM promoted to a full fledged ministry where there will be more funding and qualified technocrats who are equally Diasporans managing the affairs of the ministry because of their experience outside the country which will enable them find solutions and give services required whenever the need arises.
The dire situation of what happened in Ukraine and what is presently happening to our citizens in Sudan should be enough to look into direction of establishing Ministry of Diaspora as it demands the innate experience and hands on approach to addressing issues of Diasporans in foreign countries especially their welfare and safety.
A full fledged Ministry of Diaspora Affairs would suffice to cater for overseeing the administrative organisation and activities that regards providing welfare, safety and support to Nigerians in Diaspora and also in coordinating the remittances and other similar contributions towards development of Nigeria and it’s local economy by it’s citizens living abroad.
This proposal was made available to Parrotreporters in Abuja by Engr. Bola Babarinde, a Nigerian living in South Africa for over 23 years and a committed Progressive party man who had been in AC, ACN and took APC to South Africa as their first Chairman, he served as Director Africa for Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council under the leadership of Prince Ade Omole, the Director Diaspora Directorate and Hon. Abiodun Faleke as Director General. He also served as Deputy Director Diaspora Directorate of Independent Campaign Council for Tinubu/Shettima election and Sanwoolu/Hamzat re-election campaign in Lagos, under the leadership of Mr. Tayo Ayinde and Cardinal Omolaja Odumbaku as Director General and Chairman respectively.
