Minister praised for supporting Nigerian diaspora

Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has commended Ambassador Zubairu Dada, the outgoing Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, for making the job easier for the management of the Commission.

Ms Dabiri-Erewa made the comment when she led a delegation of Management Staff of NiDCOM on a farewell visit to the minister’s home in Abuja. She noted that every time the Minister was called upon, he made himself available which had given the Commission confidence.

In her words, “Indeed it is a pleasure to have worked under you. You are a part and parcel of the history of NiDCOM. It is part of your legacy just as the saying, you can’t cut a stream from its source”.

Dabiri-Erewa thanked Mr Dada, who was the supervising Minister to NIDCOM, for his support, counsel and for midwifing the baby commission. “NiDCOM started with nothing but today we have a policy and a robust annual calendar all achieved under your fatherly guidance”, she added.

Ambassador Dada, holding the plaque and expressing his gratitude for the honour, and Ms Dabiri-Erewa/Photo: NiDCOM

Amb. Zubairu Dada who felt highly honoured by the visit described the remarks as really heart warming because all he did was to carry out the primary duty he was assigned to. “I had no choice but to deliver a national assignment that was of so much importance to the country,” he said.

Dada noted that NiDCOM was enjoying quality leadership under Dr Dabiri-Erewa. “The reward for hard work is more work. You have to keep it up and give a little more push until the Diaspora are able to relate with the country in one dial,” he urged.

Dada called on the new government to give NiDCOM all the necessary support as it had garnered so much confidence from Nigerians even across the private sectors.

A Medal of Honour was presented to the outgoing minister on behalf of the Commission and the over 17 million Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Gabriel Odu