. meets Dabiri-Erewa
A new immigration policy is underway going by the words of the Interior minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
He assured his fellow Nigerians in Abuja that the country’s immigration policy would be reviewed to harmonise with current realities.
The minister spoke during a courtesy visit to him in his office by the management and staff of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, led by its chairman, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Noting that the immigration laws of every nation should be based on reciprocity, he said that when the laws are reviewed, citizens of any country that grants Nigerians visa on arrival, will be treated the same way.
He promised that the Federal Government through his ministry would provide the necessary support required by NiDCOM to provide efficient services to Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Tunji-Ojo described NiDCOM as one of the most important government agencies in the country whose role should not be restricted to welfarerism alone, but to also provide solutions for the future of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
On the delays being experienced and long distance Nigerians in the Diaspora usually travel before being captured for their passports, he said the printing machine in London would be increased to four to serve more people in the United Kingdom.
Tunji-Ojo said the 26 billion dollars remittance by the Nigerians in the Diaspora is larger than the nation’s budget, hence the need to create an enabling environment for those in the Diaspora to invest more back home.
He assured: ‘NiDCOM deserves all the support needed to carry out its functions and the ministry of interior would provide that support to ensure you succeed. Your budget should be special to enable you carry out the task ahead of you’.
In her speech, NiDCOM chairman, who appreciated the Minister for the leadership he provides in passport administration in the country, said Nigerians in the Diaspora appreciate the transformation going on in the sector.
She informed the minister that since the commencement of the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment summit which holds annually, many hospitals had been built and managed by Nigerian medical doctors in the Diaspora.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said many Nigerians in the Diaspora are doing a lot and the commission is working towards ensuring that the positive image of Nigeria is being projected.
She lamented the low budgetary allocation for the commission despite the huge task ahead.
