NiDCOM pledges To Work With All Recognised Diaspora Groups
Oru Leonard
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has has said that it will continuously work for unity and progress of all recognised diaspora groups.
In a release signed by Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media and Protocols of NiDCOM, it stated that NiDCOM under the able and dynamic leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa will continue to be guided by the Act of the parliament that set it up as well as see to the overall welfare of all Nigerians abroad in line with its citizen diplomacy philosophy. Again, to coordinate the activities of all diaspora groups and organisations abroad.
The release was made to clear the air on a statement purportedly being circulated in the media by the Chairman of NIDO Europe, Mr Keneth Gbandi on the relationship between Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, (NIDO) as well as several existing and very well socio- cultural and professional diaspora groups abroad.
‘Our attention has been drawn to an obviously confusing and illogical statement being circulated in the media by the Chairman of NIDO Europe, Mr Keneth Gbandi on the relationship between Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, (NIDO) as well as several existing and very well socio- cultural and professional diaspora groups abroad.
“The statement to the least could be described as selfish and self seeking as it is all in the attempt of a very few microscopic minority who wants to lord over the majority”, Abdur Rahman expressed.
He further added that NiDCOM has been able to engage as many diaspora groups as possible in all parts of the world through its various activities and interventions, but that the leadership of NIDO- Europe headed by Keneth Gbandi, who has been in NIDO leadership in the last 20 years, wants to go it all alone.
He also stressed that NIDCOM is not to relate only with NIDO but also all recognized Diaspora organisations. This, the Commission has been able to do effectively by coordinating and harnessing the potentials of the Diaspora groups and individuals to national development. “NIDCOM has been able to engage as many diaspora groups as possible in all parts of the world through its various activities and interventions”, he added.
The release stated that Mr Keneth Gbandi’s argument that whenever NIDCOM board is constituted by Mr President, it should be made up of only members of NIDO is a pipe dream by Keneth Gbandi and very few of his cheerleaders.
NiDCOM said the commission is poised to work with all Nigerians abroad to harness the human and capital resources that abound to escalate the development in Nigeria, and will ensure that all diaspora groups work together with unity of purpose which will involve all stakeholders, including National Assembly relevant committees, focal persons on Diaspora from all states in Nigeria among other international bodies.
Recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo indeed came up with the idea of NIDO to be an umbrella body of all diaspora organisations, but NiDCOM said”unfortunately for 20 years this vision has not materialised as NIDO has not succeeded in bringing registered and recognised diaspora groups under one roof. Rather, it has been controlled, in some countries, by oligarchic few who are determined to turn it to a private and personal belonging.”
