IOM CHIEF APPLAUDS NIDCOM’S DIASPORA ENGAGEMENTS.

By Iyang Bassey-Abuja

Mr Frantz Celestin, the out-going Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), says the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) under the Chairmanship of Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa is at the forefront in its engagements with the Nigerian Diaspora Community globally.

The IOM Chief stated this when NIDCOM’s Management led by Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by Secretary to the Commission, Engr. Dr Sule Yakubu Bassi, paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja.

Celestin maintains that Nigeria is a worthy country having the best of the best African Diaspora globally, adding that Nigerian immigrants in the United States alone have more Ph.D degree holders than anywhere else.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Gabriel Odu,
Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit,
NIDCOM on Monday in Abuja and made available to Outlook media.

According to him, “IOM is committed to pushing this frontally and encouraging them coming back home to push development”.

The IOM Chief of Mission believes that after good years in Nigeria, he is ably qualified to tell the Nigerian story of strength and resilience in achieving target goals.

Earlier, Engr. Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Secretary to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) commended the IOM Chief for his exemplary leadership in helping NIDCOM take-off immediately after its establishment with the publication of the National Diaspora Policy, making Nigeria, the first to engage its Diaspora; training of foundation staff and honouring all NIDCOM activities and engagements.

Bassi added that the IOM Chief has helped made NIDCOM a reference Agency at continental and global levels with countries like Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia and Turkey, embarking on study tour of NIDCOM as a model.

The IOM Chief, Mr Frantz Celestin will be leaving Nigeria to Somalia after spending six years for further assignments.