Migration Management: SORENID, NIDCOM Collaborate
The need for the Nigerian Diaspora to give back to the society in one
form or the other is of utmost importance and one of the mandates of
President Muhammadu Buhari to the Nigerian Diaspora. This statement was
exemplified by an NGO, the Society for the Reconciliation of Distressed
Nigerians in Diaspora (SORENID) on a visit to the Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja.
established almost six years ago, was set up to facilitate a
reconnection process with homeland, as well as, bridge the gap of
Nigerians wanting to trace their roots, and for Nigerians, who for some
reasons or the other, got stranded abroad and had to come home to start
life afresh. In addition, victims of gender-based violence in the
Diaspora are also included in the rehabilitation, resettlement and
reintegration scheme.
According to him, “a 20-room, 80 bed-space facility which originally was
my Guest House, got converted to a shelter for the victims and engage
them meaningfully in skills such as Beauty, Fashion, ICT, Agriculture
and Production of household cleaning agents”.
Amb. Okafor stated further that the FCT Diaspora Focal Point Officer and
NAPTIP had visited the Shelter. To him, he saw the need to liaise with
other agencies related to Diaspora and migration hence the need to visit
NIDCOM.
Meanwhile, Engr.Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Secretary to the Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission, representing Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO,
NiDCOM, appreciated the group’s effort of identifying with the
Commission. However, he pointed out that their objective is better suited with NAPTIP, which is in charge of handling cases of trafficked victims, their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Engr.Bassi encouraged other Returnees to follow the path of Amb. Uche
Okafor in giving back to the country, as that is one of the three
mandates of Nigerians in the Diaspora: to be good Ambassadors, to excel
greatly in what they set out to do and to always remember home, wherever
they are.
The NiDCOM Secretary assured the group that the Commission will render
its assistance in whatever capacity towards the growth of the NGO.
The Society for the Reconciliation of Distressed Nigerians in Diaspora
(SORENID) is formed to help complement other strategic Departments,
Agencies and Ministries.