The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Rep Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has called on Nigeria’s foreign missions to ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora benefitted from their services and support.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akande-Sadipe, (APC-Oluyole Federal Constituency) made the call at a three-day conference on the review of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.
In a statement signed by her Media aide, Olamilekan Olusada, and made available to newsmen, on Wednesday, in Ibadan, the lawmaker said that the foreign affairs policy reform must address the issues of improved quality representation.
The lawmaker said that our foreign missions and Embassies should be the first point of contact between Nigerians abroad and their government.
“My focus would be our Foreign Missions and Embassies and Nigerians in the diaspora. Can we confidently say that we are meeting the needs of Nigerians who need our services abroad?
“Nigeria’s foreign policy should address the issues with regards to services rendered to Nigerian diaspora citizens at our Foreign Missions and Embassies,” she said.
Akande-Sadipe urged them to honour the country by acts of exemplary service, saying that their selection to represent Nigeria abroad was a privilege.
“We must not relent as the security and welfare of all Nigerians home and abroad should be a reality.
“Representatives need to shake off the demigod mindset and have a service mindset. An exemplary service is what we must strive for and that’s what you must give back,” she said.
The lawmaker listed other issues that needed reform to include, Immigration, Passport Issuance, National Identity Registration, legal representation and emergency services.
“For instance, the case of Sulaimon, who is on death row today in Saudi Arabia would have been different if he had legal representation or support from the embassy.
“This Innocent 17-year-old boy was made to sign a confession he did not write, as it was written in Arabic,” he said.
Akande-Sadipe also lamented the case of human trafficking and the response of Nigeria’s Missions’ and Embassies to the plight of Nigerian citizens who were victims of unscrupulous traffickers.
“Granting the diaspora more respect by the missions of their beloved country will further enhance their contribution to the socio-political development and economic growth of the country.
“Nigerians in diaspora account for annual remittances of over $26 billion dollars either as investments or direct capital inflow into Nigeria,” She noted. (NAN)
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