The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, has expressed the support of the Senate to Diaspora voting and continued commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
The Senate president made the promise during the official presentation of a compendium entitled: ‘+600 Diaspora icons at 60’, by the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and management staff in Abuja.
Lawan commended the doggedness, passion and determination of the NIDCOM boss in bringing diaspora issues to the front burner right from her days in the parliament, and now as chairman of NIDCOM.
On Diaspora voting, Lawan expressed optimism that Nigerians anywhere in the world would soon freely exercise their franchise once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is through with the bill.
A statement issued yesterday by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, NIDCOM, noted that his position was corroborated by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who emphasised that the National Assembly was working with the INEC to put mechanisms that would ensure Nigerians anywhere in the world exercise their freedom to vote.
He, however, gave the assurances that the ninth Senate always will ensure that bills that are people-centred are considered and passed.
Lawan promised to support NIDCOM in its enormous task of engaging the diaspora, especially with the adoption and ratification of the National Diaspora Policy in tandem with Nigerian foreign policy.
Presenting the compendium, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said it is a compilation of extraordinary and exceptional exploits of Nigerians in the Diaspora in different sectors-though the list is endless.
She further said NIDCOM was primarily building trust with the Nigerian Diaspora global community to fast-track investment back home through various programmes.
The commission boss added that the National Diaspora Investment Summit has attracted over 300 Nigerians investing in different sectors of the economy.
