By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
The new Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Abubakar Jidda, has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to bring their ideas and investments back home to help develop their home country.
This is as he revealed that arrangements to install passport printing machines in New York and Atlanta were been finalized.
Jidda said this during a courtesy call on him by a delegation of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), New Jersey Chapter.
The Consul-General emphasized that there was the need to harness and package Nigerian talents and resources in the diaspora for the development of the home country.
He pointed out that aside the fact that President Bola Tinubu administration considered the diasporas as top priority, he would work with the government’s mandate to ensure that Nigerian businesses and other organizations were supported to grow into mega entities.
The Nigerian envoy also said the Tinubu’s administration was committed to providing quality consular services to Nigerians in the diaspora.
He said the Nigerian leader has strengthened the diaspora through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and through the 4D foreign policy of the Tinubu’s administration, which has the diaspora as a strategic part of the foreign policy.
Jidda gave assurance that he would lead from the front, especially in terms of carrying the nationals along in decisions that affected them.
The envoy said he was on a mission specifically as it regards trade, medical and education, among others, and such other missions to the home country.
He pledged to ensure the welfare of Nigerians under New York jurisdiction, and collaborate with anyone or group that has something to contribute to showcasing Nigeria to the world.
To buttress the high regard with which the present administration holds the diasporas, Jidda said arrangements to install passport printing machines in New York and Atlanta were been finalized.
According to him, the measure would ease the pressure on Washington, DC where passports are printed monthly, and also to make processing of passports stressless for Nigerians.
He reassured that the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Kemi Nandap was working hard to ensure that the machines were installed and in use in New York and Atlanta to serve the nationals in the states covered by the two Consulates.
Jidda further assured that the New York Consulate would work towards putting in place equipments for the use of nationals who come to the Consulate for consular services.
While expressing delight at welcoming the delegation, led by the President of NIDO New Jersey, Dr Adeola Popoola,the restated his strong willingness to work with the diaspora Nigerians to develop their home country, stressing that he will be ready to be part of trade, medical or other such missions to the country, while ensuring that such delegations have access to the highest levels of government whenever they are in the country.
He pointed out that he would also facilitate robust engagement between the diaspora community and relevant agencies of government in the home country, noting however, that the diasporas have major roles to play, especially in terms of organizing themselves properly and working in unity.
The Consul-General has since his resumption of duty in New York, held a townhall meeting with Nigerians in the states under his jurisdiction.
He gave assurance to the New Jersey delegation that he would soon begin visiting and holding in-person townhall meetings to hear the nationals’ concerns, and also communicate government’s policies and programmes to them where they reside.
The Consul-General’s delegation at the visit, included Consul Trade and Investment, Amb. Franklin Ogunyemi, in charge of Trade and Investment, and Mr Bartholomew Ajaereh, Consul, Immigration and Community Relations, among others.
Earlier in his address, Dr Adeola Popoola said the delegation was in Nigeria House to officially welcome the Consul-General to New York and also to inform him of the programmes of the Chapter which he would be expected to attend.
The programmes included the Flag Raising ceremony at Newark City Hall to celebrate Nigeria’s independence anniversary.
Members of the delegation included the National President of Nigerian America Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), Dr. Nelson Aluya, Vice President, NIDO New Jersey, Prince Anozie Ogenyi, the Financial Secretary, Mr. Ladi Salami, the Public Relations Officer, Dr. Ade Adegbomire, Founder of Lord & Nike, Olanike Awoleye and some NIDO Elders, Prof Stella Okereke, Albert Ukaigwe and and Mrs Noyo Edem.
