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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia have resolved to deepen collaboration aimed at improving diaspora engagement and promoting the positive contributions of Nigerians living in the Kingdom.
Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made this known when she received the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Yakubu N. Gambo, and the Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I.J. Nayaya, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, a statement signed by Violet Nwosu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol said.
Dabiri-Erewa pledged NiDCOM’s continued partnership with the Nigerian Mission to strengthen engagement with Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and highlight their contributions to the country.
Ambassador Gambo said diaspora issues had been given priority since his assumption of office, noting that the “four Ds” of Nigeria’s foreign policy underscore the importance of the diaspora.
He said Saudi Arabia was home to many Nigerian professionals, including doctors, engineers, teachers, artisans and traders, as well as Nigerian families that had lived in the country for generations.
The ambassador disclosed that the Mission had directed various Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia to come together under a single umbrella body to promote unity and enable the Embassy to engage more effectively with the community.
He, however, identified challenges involving Nigerians in prisons and detention centres, including those who had completed their jail terms but remained unable to return home because of outstanding fines.
The Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Nayaya, described the provision of consular services as one of the Mission’s major challenges.
He revealed that consular officers issue dozens of Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) daily to Nigerians held in detention centres.
Nayaya commended NiDCOM for its support in the case involving Nigerian national Suleiman Alufa, as well as other interventions by the Commission to assist Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.
Dabiri-Erewa commended the two envoys for their proactive engagement with Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and Jeddah, describing the move to unite the various Nigerian associations as a positive development.
She noted that many Nigerians in Saudi Arabia were excelling in various professions, particularly medicine and engineering, but said their achievements often received less attention than negative incidents involving Nigerians.
“We only hear about the bad cases; we don’t hear about Nigerians excelling in Saudi Arabia. Now is the time to start celebrating them,” she said.
The NiDCOM chairman urged Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia to register on the Commission’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal to facilitate effective planning and engagement with the Nigerian diaspora.
She also called for greater support for Nigerian missions abroad, particularly those handling heavy consular responsibilities.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the welfare of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and strengthening the participation of the diaspora in national development.
