* Warns Nigerians against visiting Northern Cyprus
The Federal Government has commended Nigerians in the Diaspora for their continued support to national development through direct remittances of about $20 billion and $4.8 billion as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2021.
Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said it was pertinent for Nigeria to appreciate the importance of compatriots abroad who have continued to contribute their skills and resources to the development of the country in health, education, technology, finance, transportation, housing, entertainment amongst other sectors.
Dabiri-Erewa spoke on Thursday during the Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She acknowledged the insecurity in parts of the country, noting it was temporary and the federal government has taking necessary steps to resolve the situation.
According to her, home remittances is four times Nigeria’s FDI and contributes about 6.1% of annual GDP, meaning that “our Diaspora are now an economic factor for development which we have coined a term Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI)”.
The NiDCOM Chairman dismissed the fears of Nigerians in the Diaspora that their business interests in the country may be jeopardised by the prevailing security situation.
She declared that Nigerian security forces have in recent times been bombarding terrorists in the determined attempt to end their menace, expressing confidence that whoever invests in the country among the Diasporans will have return for their investments.
“Nigerians in the diaspora have a significant role to play in the development of Nigeria, now and for years to come. The President Muhammadu Buhari led- Administraion has in recent times recorded remarkable feats and outstanding successes in the core area of her foreign policy and international relations.
“These successes can be shown through the caliber of human resources that Nigeria boast of in the diaspora.
“There has been a renewed enthusiasm and admiration being accorded to Nigeria across the globe especially with the recent advent of eminent Nigerians heading key global organisations in the global comity of Nations.
“The Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far played a critical role and provided much needed leadership to ensure the rights of Nigerians are protected in the various countries where her citizens reside.
“In spite of the successes recorded so far there are still pockets of challenges being faced by Nigerian citizens across some Nations of the world and especially in crisis regions that requires the urgent attention of the Government,” the NiDCOM chairman explained.
She further disclosed that about 20 Nigerian students have been killed in Northern Cyprus even though students have been warned to stay away from the place, regretting that Nigerians are being killed on a daily basis in Northern Cyprus with nobody able to intervene because of the political situation in the European enclave.
