We will do everything to protect Nigerians in Diaspora, pass Diaspora Voting Bill- Senate President

We will do everything to protect Nigerians in Diaspora, pass Diaspora Voting Bill- Senate President

The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan has expressed the support of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly to Diaspora Voting and continued commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians living anywhere in the Diaspora.

The Senate President gave the promise during the official presentation  of a compendium entitled “+600 Diaspora icons at 60″ by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and Management Staff in Abuja.

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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/CEO, NIDCOM.

On Diaspora Voting,  Senator Lawan expressed optimism that Nigerians anywhere in the world would soon freely exercise their franchise once INEC is through with the bill.

A statement on Thursday by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, NIDCOM, this position was corroborated by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who emphasized that the National Assembly is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put mechanisms that will ensure Nigerians anywhere in the world exercise their freedom to vote.

He, however, gave assurances that the 9th Senate is the Nigerian Senate that ensures 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 Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.

Presenting the compendium,  NIDCOM boss Hon. 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.

Dabiri-Erewa further said NIDCOM is primarily building trust with the Nigerian Diaspora global community to fast track investment back home through various Programmes.

She added that the National Diaspora Investment Summit has attracted over 300 Nigerians investing in different sectors of the economy.

Other Programmes of the Commission, she added, include Diaspora Door of Return, Diaspora Data Mapping, Diaspora Portal Mechanism, Diaspora Lecture Series, Annual National Diaspora Day, and appointment of 33 Diaspora  Focal Point Officers across the States, among others.

We will do everything to protect Nigerians in Diaspora, pass Diaspora Voting Bill- Senate President