A cross section of Nigerians in Europe on Friday lauded the appointment of Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission.
In various interviews with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they unanimously described Dabiri-Erewa as the “best person for the job”.
Mr Bayo Adekeye, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Belgium said that Dabiri-Erewa had already shown her passion and commitment to matters affecting Nigerians in Diaspora globally while in her position as Special adviser to the President.
“Her appointment as Chairman Diaspora Commission gives all Nigerians in Diaspora hope that the Commission will embark on immediate resolution of matters and concerns affecting Nigerians in Diaspora.
READ ALSO:Dickson Wrestling Championships: Adekuoroye dumps Ondo for MFM
“Especially in areas such as improved consular services at Embassies and the right to Diaspora voting,” Adekeye said.
In the same vein, Mr Celeste Ugochukwu, Chairman NIDO Swiss, commended the Federal government and Senate President Bukola Saraki for the appointment and for also actualising the dream for a Diaspora Commission.
“Abike is a regular personality in the Diaspora community, as a journalist, she picked interest in the Diaspora matters right from time.
“She chaired the House Committee on Diaspora affairs for 8 years and has been Special Assistant to the president on Diaspora matters in the last 4 years.
“She has the needed qualifications, experience and pedigree for this prime job,” Ugochukwu noted.
While stressing the need for continued collaboration with NIDO, Ugochukwu listed Diaspora voting and policies upscaling Diaspora remittances for investment as burning issues the Commission should focus on.
Similarly, Mr Emeka Okafor of the Central Association of Nigerians in UK (CANUK) described the appointment as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”
READ ALSO:London Metal Exchange appoints first chairwoman in 142 years
Okafor said Dabiri-Erewa is vast on Diaspora issue and had performed “incredible well” in bringing visibility to the challenges and needs of NIDO.
According to him, her appointment will see to continuity in burning issues affecting NIDO which she has been championing.
Others who spoke from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal urged government to adequately fund the commission to deliver on its mandate.
Until her appointment, Dabiri-Erewa was the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora matters.
She was also a three-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos between 2003 and 2015.
It will be recalled that while in the National Assembly, she was chairman of House Committee on Diaspora Affairs and had sponsored the bill seeking the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission. (NAN)
