The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has raised concerns regarding the proliferation of fraudulent Nigerian diaspora organizations, highlighting the need for vigilance in authenticating such groups.
In a letter addressed to the Head of Service of the Federation, Abuja, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, titled ‘Phoney Nigerian Diaspora Groups,’ Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, expressed alarm over the dubious activities of these groups misrepresenting the commission and the diaspora community at large.
Dabiri-Erewa underscored the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission by an Act of the National Assembly in 2017, aimed at engaging Nigerians abroad in national policies, projects, and development initiatives.
She emphasized the commission’s pivotal role in harnessing the resources of Nigerians in the diaspora for Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural advancement.
Highlighting recent developments, Dabiri-Erewa flagged the Nigeria Diaspora Forum, which lacks official registration and transparent intentions for engagement with the diaspora community.
NiDCOM promptly issued a public rebuttal to clarify the status of NDF and caution against unauthorized engagements with diaspora groups.
“Of recent, the Nigeria Diaspora Forum (NDF) advertised itself on various media.
“On checking it out, we discovered that it is not a registered group and we could not decipher its good intentions for engagement with Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“We have, therefore, put up a rebuttal on its activities to the general public and Nigerians in the Diaspora,” she said in the letter.
The CEO urged the Head of Service to disseminate the information among ministries, departments, and agencies, advising thorough verification of engagements involving diaspora groups through NiDCOM.
