President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration would continue to protect Nigerians’ interests no matter where they are in the world. ayokinews.com reports
As the evacuation of Nigerian citizens from Ukraine begins, the president said this.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, spoke on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya, during a town-hall meeting with a group of Nigerians living in the country, according to presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina.
“On our part as a Government, we shall continue to defend the interests of all Nigerians wherever they may be. We have demonstrated this over time, as we have had cause to evacuate our citizens in harm’s way abroad,” he said.
“We did it in Libya, South Africa and we have just commenced doing the same in Ukraine, where thousands of our citizens, especially students, are trapped by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.”
The president praised the cooperation that existed among Nigerians in Kenya.
He urged them to follow laid down rules and regulations and serve as good ambassadors for Nigeria.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), according to Buhari, was founded as a consequence of the present administration’s commitment to form a relationship with ‘ambassadors-at-large’ in order to grow the country together.
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He stated that as part of his diaspora agenda, “we expect your willingness to ‘give back’ to Nigeria, some of your resources, talents, skills and global exposure in the development of our great country, Nigeria”.
He urged the ambassadors to participate in NiDCOM’s programs, particularly the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, which has a wide mission for all Nigerians living abroad.
The platform, according to the president, will let them contribute more quickly to the development of their fatherland.
He further told them that, despite the hurdles created by the COVID-19 epidemic and insurgent activities, his administration is moving ahead with the development of key infrastructure for the collective benefit of Nigerians.
NiDCOM’s chief executive officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, thanked the ambassadors for accepting the invitation and encouraged them to register with the commission so that the commission could maintain an up-to-date database for convenient access.
Nicholas Ozor, the president of the Nigerians in Diaspora (Kenya), thanked President Buhari for always visiting, whenever he was in the country.
Ozor requested that the president assist in a number of issues that they are facing, including the suspension of visas on arrival for Nigerians, the delay in obtaining a student permit, barriers to conducting business, and excessive negative profiling of Nigerians.
Check Also: https://nidcom.gov.ng/news/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-nigerians-in-ukraine-daily-update/
