Dabiri-Erewa Calls For Strategic Diaspora Relations In More African Countries
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, has applauded the Zambian Government for taking the bold
step in diaspora engagements.
by the Zambian delegation, led by the Zambian High Commissioner to
Nigeria, Jenipher Mutembo and Mr. Tunde Omoyeni, the Migration
Management Specialist, International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
South Africa.
Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, the Secretary to the Commission, who received
them on behalf of the Chairman/CEO is pleased to have another African
country understudy NiDCOM to create a replica Commission in Zambia.
He is equally pleased that their visit coincided with the fifth
anniversary of the Commission, hence providing the opportunity to
categorically list the activities, projects and plans of the Commission.
The NiDCOM Secretary further stated that in the last five years, the
Commission established the National Diaspora Policy that contextually
states the concept, Diaspora, and the mandate of the Commission; created
July 25 annually to celebrate the National Diaspora Day, started the
Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), launched the Diaspora
Mortgage Scheme, set the Diaspora Data Mapping System; hosted its first
National Diaspora Merit Awards, as well as, engaged in townhall meetings
with Nigerians at their respective countries of residence and built
comprehensive media and communication channels for engagement, among
others.
Dr. Bassi explained that issues such as funding, bureaucratic
bottlenecks, trust from citizens abroad and many others will arise in
their course of establishment but he encouraged the delegates not to
relent in their efforts.
He expressed that if more African countries participate in diaspora
engagement, Africa will fully actualise its potentials through
harnessing the human and material resources of Africans living across
the world.
Mrs. Lucy Namadula, the Coordinating Officer for Diaspora Affairs in
Zambia stated that their team has come up with a 30-point plan towards
feasible diaspora engagement that cuts across employment, health
insurance, diaspora database, home affairs, remittances and investments,
and other social interventions.
She further informed that a special website has been created to provide
real time information for diasporas, as well as a platform to have a
diaspora database for about 250,000 of its citizens abroad.
Mrs. Namadula agreed that just like Nigeria, trust, capacity-building
and funding are the major challenges being faced in their country.
Another challenge raised includes absence of a diaspora law and a
dedicated Commission.
However, the Zambian Coordinating Officer for Diaspora Affairs is
confident that in due time, the Diaspora Office in Zambia will attain
the level of progress as NiDCOM in its five years.
Also, Mrs Mukamasole Kasanda, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Ministry of
Labour and Social Security Zambia commended the Nigerian government for
setting up NiDCOM for proper diaspora engagement.
Kasanda stated their objective of establishing a migration resource
centre in her country. She said the Zambian government has set policies
on anti-trafficking and employment.
In addition, Kasanda informed that a technical group on migration data
has been set up, as well as, reviewed the Convention 97 and 91 which
focuses on migration for employment and ethical employment in Zambia.
She added that Zambia has reached Memoranda of Understanding with
Seychelles, Angola, South Africa and some countries, as regards labour
and migration.
The study tour of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission was facilitated
by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) South Africa.
Zambia makes it the ninth country after Zimbabwe, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Tanzania, Namibia, Ghana, South Korea and the Southern Africa
Development Community (SADC) to under study the Commission in the last
five years.