By Nkechi Eze
Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has lauded the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for her unwavering commitment, doggedness, and exceptional dedication to advancing diaspora affairs, a feat he said has earned Nigeria and its diaspora community global respect and recognition.
Speaking through his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, during a courtesy visit by the NiDCOM delegation in Calabar ahead of the fourth State Diaspora Focal Point Officers Summit, the Governor praised Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership in strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with its citizens abroad.
In an official statement signed by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Odey expressed gratitude to the NiDCOM boss for the choice of Cross River State as host of the summit, describing it as an honour and affirmation of the state’s commitment to harnessing diaspora potentials for development.
“Cross River State is a partner of the diaspora community, and we will continue to harness the potentials within our diaspora network,” Odey stated. He further commended Hon. Dabiri-Erewa’s steadfast efforts in protecting and empowering Nigerians across the globe, noting that the state has been closely following her impactful interventions in diaspora matters.
The Deputy Governor also applauded the Chairman of the Cross River State Diaspora Commission (CRIDCOM), Prince Otu Okor, for his remarkable dedication and ability to make the summit a reality within a short period.
In her remarks, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed profound appreciation to the Cross River State Government for its support and hospitality, especially during the commissioning of the CRIDCOM headquarters. She thanked Governor Otu for providing a conducive environment for the summit and for his administration’s strong backing of diaspora initiatives.
The NiDCOM boss also extended gratitude to the leadership of the National Assembly for their continued partnership with the Commission, acknowledging the presence and collaboration of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Civil Societies and NGOs, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tochukwu Okere.
She further praised Prince Otu Okor, Chairman of CRIDCOM, for his exceptional leadership and visionary drive, commending him for “hitting the ground running and putting in place the perfect structure within just four months.”
Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Civil Societies and NGOs, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, also underscored the vital role of the Nigerian diaspora as a catalyst for national image-building, investment inflow, and economic resilience. He emphasized that diaspora contributions remain central to Nigeria’s financial strength, with remittances helping to boost the nation’s foreign reserves from $20 billion to about $40 billion.
Similarly, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, described the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers Summit as a crucial platform for fostering synergy between the diaspora and subnational governments. He stressed that sustainable national growth and development cannot be achieved without active collaboration between the states and the diaspora community.
Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, also commended Prince Otu Okor once again for his proactive leadership and for learning from one of the best in diaspora engagement, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The fourth State Diaspora Focal Point Officers Summit, hosted in Calabar, is expected to strengthen collaboration between NiDCOM, state governments, and diaspora stakeholders in driving Nigeria’s inclusive development agenda.
