Nigerians in diaspora deserve voting right in 2023 ― Dabiri-Erewa

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDC), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said the commission was working towards ensuring that the over 20 million Nigerians living abroad are allowed to vote especially during 2023 general election.

She stated this at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti during the 2019 Ekiti Diaspora Homecoming reception organised by the state government and youth organisations.

Speaking through the Head, Media and Public Relations of the commission, Mr AbdulRaham Balogun, she disclosed that Nigerians living abroad are contributing an estimated $25 billion to the nation’s economy.

According to her, “With Nigerians in Diaspora contributing so much to the Nigerian Economy, estimated at over 25 billion US dollars in 2018, we believe they deserve to vote. We are already working with the National Assembly to hopefully make this a reality in Nigeria through an amendment to the country’s Electoral Act. “We, therefore, look forward to many more engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora in the years ahead.”

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She said that the Commission, in collaboration with other stakeholders, had also drafted and validated a holistic Diaspora policy currently awaiting the approval of Federal Executive Council.

According to her, the Federal Government of Nigeria had already declared 25th July, every year, as a date set aside to recognise and appraise Nigerians in the Diaspora on their contributions to national development

This, she noted, was to ensure networking, dialogue and the constructive interface between Nigerian professionals and experts in the Diaspora, and Nigerians at home, on development challenges and opportunities.

“Such activities include advocacy to states to key into the larger Diaspora movement. The establishment of a Diaspora focal point in the Governor’s offices in all the states of the Federation is paramount.

“I am happy to inform you that Ekiti State is one of the frontline states out of 16 states that have established either a Diaspora desk or office of Diaspora Affairs.

“On November 5th and 6th, 2019, we organised the second Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in Abuja which was a huge success with participation by over 600 people from different parts of the world,” she said.

The state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, Mr Femi Odere, said he deliberately created the Diaspora Affairs office, so as to enable Ekiti sons and daughters living abroad, further contribute to the economic restoration agenda of his government.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, called on all Nigerians in Diaspora, especially those from Ekiti State, to shun negative activities that could give the country and the state, a bad name.