Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDC), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Saturday stated that the commission was seeking an amendment of the Electoral Law to enable more than 20 million Nigerians living abroad to vote in the country’s general election.
Speaking at the celebration of the 2019 Ekiti Diaspora Homecoming Reception, organised by the state government in conjunction with some youth organizations in Ado-Ekiti, Dabiri-Erewa posited that it was only normal for Diaspora Nigerians to be allowed to vote from their various countries of abode during elections.
Dabiri-Erewa, represented by the Head, Media and Public Relations of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed that Nigerians living abroad contributed over $25 billion to the Nigerian economy in 2018.
“With Nigerians in Diaspora contributing so much to the Nigerian economy, estimated at over 25 billion dollars in 2018, we believe they deserve to vote for their choice of leaders at home.
“We are already working with the National Assembly to hopefully make this a reality in Nigeria through amendment to the country’s Electoral Act.
“We, therefore, look forward to many more engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora in the years ahead,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa said that the commission in collaboration with other stakeholders had drafted and validated a holistic Diaspora Policy currently awaiting the approval of Federal Executive Council.
She also revealed that the Federal Government has set aside July 25 of every year to celebrate and honour Nigerians in the Diaspora for their contributions to national development.
Speaking on the commission’s activities, Dabiri-Erewa said since it had done a lot to fulfill the its mandate.
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“The commission has continually engaged in advocacy to states to connect to the larger Diaspora movement.
“We see the establishment of Diaspora Focal Point in Governors’ Offices in the 36 states of the Federation as paramount.
“I am happy to inform you that Ekiti is one of the frontline states out of 16 states that have established either a Diaspora Desk or Office of Diaspora Affairs.
“The commission between Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 organised the second Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit in Abuja which was a huge success with over 600 participants from different parts of the world.
“As a follow-up to the Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 Summit, two young Nigerians resident in Saudi Arabia put together the first Saudi Arabia/Nigeria Investment Forum.
“This was an offshoot of the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit. It was also a great success,” she said.
In his remarks, Gov. Kayode Fayemi described the theme of the event, “Leveraging Diaspora Resources for Youth and Socio-Economic Development in Ekiti’’, as apt.
The governor, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Femi Odere, said the state deliberately created the Diaspora Affairs office so that Ekiti sons and daughters abroad could connect to the state.
The Chairman of the occasion, Afe Babalola, SAN, urged all Nigerians in Diaspora, especially those from Ekiti, to shun negative activities that could paint the country and state in bad light.
He was represented by Prof. Sylvester Ojo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
