The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has praised Abia State for being the first to establish a functioning Diaspora Commission.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of NIDCOM, expressed this commendation during a debriefing session at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. There, senior officials from the Abia State Diaspora Commission, led by Executive Secretary/CEO Amb. Rev. Annie Onu, were formally welcomed and briefed on their responsibilities.

Engr. Dr. Sule Bassi, the Commission’s Secretary, represented NIDCOM and commended Governor Alex Otti for the ongoing transformation in Abia State. He noted that Otti’s bold reforms position the state for sustainable growth and development.

Engr. Bassi explained that the meeting is a standard procedure for NIDCOM to debrief newly appointed State Diaspora Focal Point Officers. This ensures alignment with the national Diaspora engagement framework.

He outlined NIDCOM’s expectations from the Abia Diaspora Commission, emphasising the importance of structured engagement with the Diaspora community, data collection, and alignment with the Commission’s mandate.

Engr. Bassi urged the Abia delegation to create a dedicated website and establish social media platforms to enhance their visibility and communicate effectively with the global Abia Diaspora community.

He also encouraged the Abia team to actively participate in significant events on Nigeria’s Diaspora calendar and urged the state government to provide logistical support for NIDCOM’s involvement in state-led activities.

“Diaspora engagement is not just about remittances; it encompasses knowledge, service, identity, and nation-building,” he said.

“Engage with Abians in the Diaspora to encourage their participation in the state’s development through investments, volunteerism, or charitable causes.”

He further urged the delegation to collaborate with NIDCOM to harness the resources, talents, and skills of Nigerians abroad for the overall socio-economic, cultural, and political development of Nigeria, specifically in Abia State.

Amb. Rev. Annie Onu, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, expressed gratitude to NIDCOM for its leadership in guiding state-level diaspora engagements.

In her remarks, Amb. Onu highlighted operational milestones achieved under her leadership and revealed plans for constructing a dedicated headquarters for the Abia Diaspora Commission, featuring modern facilities for effective diaspora engagement and service delivery.

She mentioned that work is ongoing to develop a comprehensive diaspora database to categorise citizens based on their professions and expertise. This will enable the Commission to connect diasporans with opportunities back home, facilitate business partnerships, and expedite state development.

Amb. Onu also announced plans for hosting the Abia Diaspora Business Summit, aimed at strengthening connections within the global Abia network for investment and development opportunities in the state.

She commended Governor Otti for creating an enabling environment for Abians in the Diaspora to contribute to the state’s development through investments, volunteer efforts, and charitable causes.

“We have reached this point due to the vision of our Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti. He understands the value of the Diaspora and has fostered an environment conducive for us to function effectively,” Amb. Onu stated.

“His commitment to good governance and innovation has been a driving force behind the Commission’s success,” she added.

She assured that the Abia Diaspora Commission would continue to collaborate with NIDCOM to harness the resources, talents, and skills of Nigerians in the Diaspora for the sustainable development of Abia State and the nation at large.

Present at the meeting were NIDCOM’s Desk Officer for State Diaspora Focal Point Coordination, Ms. Funke Olaye, the Commission’s Assistant Director of Media, Mrs. Violet Nwosu, and members of the Abia delegation, including the Director of Planning, Mr. Chimezie Emenike, Head of Finance, Mr. Sebastian Onwuchekwa, and Mr. Saviour Odah.