Dabiri-Erewa Hails Signing Of Diaspora Commission Bill Into Law

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the signing into law of the Diaspora Commission bill by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as “a welcome development.”

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja on Monday, Dabiri-Erewa was elated about the signing into law of the bill which she introduced six years ago when she was the chairperson of the House of Representatives on Diaspora Affairs.

“I’m so excited  on the signing of the bill into law after introducing this bill to the Parliament about six years ago, finally,  it’s now a law, we thank God.

“Our advocacy for a one stop agency for diaspora matters is finally a reality’’, the SSA said.

“I thank the National Assembly for passing the bill second time around and for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration finally signing it into law by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.”

Dabiri-Erewa noted that 26 countries have full ministries for the Diaspora and “having a commission for our almost 15 million Nigerians abroad is a most welcome development.”

She recalled that Nigeria in June had successfully floated a $300 million Diaspora bond, saying that Nigerians abroad are so willing and eager to contribute to the development of their nation.

With the signing of the Bill into law, the head of the commission will be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had assented to Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Establishment Bill 2017.