TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abike Dabiri-Erewa

  • How Chinese employers sexually abused us – Rescued Nigerian miners recount ordeal

    How Chinese employers sexually abused us – Rescued Nigerian miners recount ordeal

    Nigerian miners who were stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) have opened up on how their Chinese male employers sexually abused them.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with key government agencies to facilitate the evacuation of miners who had been stranded in a remote village in the Central African Republic (CAR). They were first taken to the Nigerian embassy in Bangui, the capital of CAR, and then transported to Abuja on Thursday.

    Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, Abdurrahman Balogun, in a statement disclosed that the 12 miners were received by the commission’s Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Speaking at the NiDCOM office,  leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn, recounted how they lived in harsh, unsafe conditions in the forest after their recruiters abandoned them without pay.

    Freeborn said amid 11 months’ unpaid salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.

    “I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there, but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.”

    While urging the federal government to help redress the injustices they suffered at the hands of their employers, Freeborn said he was an unpatriotic citizen who did not “think anything good can come out of the country, but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria”.

    Dabiri-Erewa while addressing the miner described their ordeal as inhumane and assured them that justice would be served. She stated that the commission, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, would take up the matter. Dabiri-Erewa encouraged the rescued men to behave well and to work with the commission in advocating against irregular migration and its consequences. NiDCOM also provided the miners with financial support to assist them in resettling while they await the payment of their salaries.

  • Sunnberger: NIDCOM Boss, Abike Dabiri breaks silence on ‘bias’ allegation

    Sunnberger: NIDCOM Boss, Abike Dabiri breaks silence on ‘bias’ allegation

    The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has broken her silence over the accusations of being biased following her silence on a controversial audio clip circulating among Nigerians, particularly from the South-West region.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a prompt manner, revealed the identity of a Nigerian woman, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, who was threatening violence against Nigerians, specifically targeting those of Yoruba, Edo descent in Canada.

    The NIDCOM boss, however, stayed quiet over a clip of Yoruba descent calling for a united front against the Igbo community, alleging that they are responsible for tarnishing Nigeria’s reputation with fraud and other harmful activities.

    Reacting, netizens accused Dabiri-Erewa of addressing Sunnberger’s threats promptly but decided to stay silent on the viral audio clip.

    According to online users, the actions of NIDCOM boss underscore the growing tension and division within the Nigerian diaspora. This situation also raises significant questions about the pivotal role of NIDCOM in addressing intra-community conflicts.

    Addressing the issue, Erewa, via her verified X.com account on Thursday, reiterated the unwavering commitment of NIDCOM to address diaspora issues, regardless of any ethnic connotations.

    Her post reads; “As long as i am chair @nidcom_gov and diaspora issues are reported to us we will deal with it. As I speak, Nigerians in Canada have taken the matter up with the relevant authorities.”

  • Photo of Nigerian woman threatening to kill fellow compatriots in Canada emerges

    Photo of Nigerian woman threatening to kill fellow compatriots in Canada emerges

    The photo and identity of a Nigerian woman threatening to kill her fellow citizens based in Canada on TikTok have emerged on social media. 

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that a viral video of the lady who has been identified as Amaka Patience Sunnberger threatening to poison Yoruba and Edo people, accusing them of not being smart, had sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians on social media.

    According to Sunnberger, during a live TikTok session, she wanted the Igbo people in Canada to “wake up” and become “wicked,” adding that they have been too “cool”.

    Reacting, the chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed her name and posted her photograph on Wednesday via her verified X.com handle.

    She said the suspect deleted her TikTok account after her comments sparked outrage,  adding that  Nigerians in Canada have taken action, by reporting her to the authorities.

    “This is the picture of the lady behind the voice. Amaka Patience Sunnberger. She has deleted her TikTok account, and a group of Nigerians in Canada are reporting her officially to the relevant authorities in Canada,”  Dabiri-Erewa wrote.

  • Ahmed Musa has done so much for humanity – NiDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa

    Ahmed Musa has done so much for humanity – NiDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa

    The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has praised Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa for being an exemplary Nigerian Diaspora and a great mentor of Nigerian youths.

    A statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM indicated that Dabiri-Erewa gave the commendation when she received the football player and his delegation in Abuja.

    The statement quoted the NiDCOM CEO as saying that the player has heeded the mandate of being a good ambassador in remembering the country and excelling in the art of football.

    The statement added that Dabiri-Erewa said Ahmed Musa earned NiDCOM’s maiden National Diaspora Merit Award in the sports category due to his philanthropic gesture and mentoring of the youth.

    “We are very proud of you as a great soccer ambassador, philanthropist, and mentor of our younger ones with the building of sports academies in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, and Plateau states.

    “I have always been saying that success is about how many lives you have touched and Ahmed Musa here has done so much for humanity,” she said.

    She re-echoed her congratulatory message to the entire Super Eagles team for coming second in the just concluded AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Responding, the elated Ahmed Musa thanked the NiDCOM Chairman for the kind gesture and expressed appreciation for her support to the Diaspora, especially during the crisis in Sudan.

    The statement said Musa recalled his humble beginning which he said prompted him to decide to take it upon himself to assist the less privileged in society across the country.

    Musa said he wanted to inspire others with his story, especially those who looked down on footballers in the past.

    He assured Nigerians that in addition to other executed projects, he plans to establish a school in his hometown, Kano, and subsequently expand to other states in Nigeria in the future.

    Also, Mrs Sarah David Areo, the FCT State Diaspora Focal Point Officer lauded the Nigerian player for his achievement and assured him that the FCT is ready to support his future philanthropic projects, especially in Abuja.

  • NIDCOM demands answers from Egypt Air over Nigerian passenger’s death

    NIDCOM demands answers from Egypt Air over Nigerian passenger’s death

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called upon EgyptAir management to provide transparency and justice concerning the tragic passing of a Nigerian passenger, Remilekun Toyosi Meshioye, on 4th September, 2023.

    This comes after the airline failed to respond to inquiries regarding the incident.

    Remilekun, aged 41, was on her way to London for studies when she reportedly fell ill during the flight from Lagos to Cairo and was declared deceased upon arrival.

    In an official statement by NIDCOM’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, a letter was delivered by Dabiri-Erewa to the General Manager of the airline in Abuja, Majdi Al Aridi, expressing profound sadness over the sudden and painful loss of Remilekun.

    The petition revealed that Remilekun’s case was brought to NIDCOM’s attention through a petition from her elder sister Olufunmilola Olaniyi-Alabi, who is based in the UK.

    According to the family, since Remilekun’s passing during the flight from Lagos to Cairo, the EgyptAir management had neither informed the family nor responded to NIDCOM’s inquiries.

    Olaniyi-Alabi said the family was notified of the tragic event by the Nigeria consular office in Cairo, leaving them seeking information regarding the circumstances and the repatriation of Remilekun’s remains for a peaceful burial in Nigeria.

    “Please we need to know what exactly happened to Remilekun and how to get her corpse back to Nigeria for a peaceful burial as well as all her belongings in the custody of the airline,” the statement from NIDCOM said.

    The Commission, on behalf of the family and the Federal Government of Nigeria, is demanding full disclosure of the events that led to the sudden death of Remilekun Toyosi Meshioye aboard EgyptAir.

  • NiDCOM identifies real reasons for ‘Japa’ syndrome

    NiDCOM identifies real reasons for ‘Japa’ syndrome

    The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed insecurity and unemployment are factors responsible for the recent ‘Japa’ Syndrome”, stressing the need to make the country conducive for Nigerians.

    Dabiri-Erewa, represented by Kanyinsola Adetunmbi, a member of staff of the commission, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the 6th Abuja School Debate Tournament on ‘Addressing the Japa Syndrome, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly’.

    The tournament is organised by Chen Teen and Youths Development Initiatives (CTYDI), an NGO in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

    She said that though migration is a fundamental human rights as it has several positive attributes, it also has its bad and ugly sides.

    She said, ”According to CNN, a staggering 69 per cent of Nigerians will relocate out of the country with their families if given the opportunity, a 2022 survey by the Africa Polling Institute found and only 39 per cent were willing to emigrate in 2019 according to the same poll.

    “Nigeria was pegged as a larger source of immigrants to Canada in 2021.

    “Insecurity, unemployment, corruption and other factors are the things that push Nigerians to relocate to abroad”.

    Also a Director from the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Chituru Chendo, said that in recent years, Nigerians relocate abroad in search of greeners pastures believing that life in abroad is better than in Nigeria.

    Chendo said ‘Japa had been in existence for years as people migrate on grounds of vacation, study, job and medical reasons but it was necessary for those migrating to get well  equipped for a meaningful life.

    “On the aspect of unemployment, the International Audit and Tax Advisory from KPMG, projects Nigerian’s unemployment rates from 37.7 per cent in 2022 to 40.6 per cent in 2023.

    “Some Nigerians migrate due to unemployment, insecurity, poor education and low standard of living.

    “If you are migrating, make sure you have a skill you are going there to sell, make sure you are an expert in anything you are doing.

    “Most of us go there without a skill, when we get there we involve ourselves in social vices like drug trafficking, prostitution, cultism, drug addict and others,” she said.

    She said that the ugly aspect of migration would lead to the reduction in economic productivity which will eventually lead to collapse of businesses.

    ”Migration gives a negative impression that our government are not taking care of us and  that our investors are not competent enough.

    ”When going abroad, make sure you have a plan because this is very important and once you are done come back because no place is safe all countries has its own problems,” she said.

    She advised parents sending their children abroad for study not to abandon them because they also face challenges in the new environment they find themselves.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Director, CTYDI, said that 60 per cent of Nigerians relocate abroad because of inadequate facilities, 80 per cent because of insecurity and 95 per cent  because of lack of resources.

    “43 per cent of Nigerians are living the country each day between 2015 -2020, while 55 per cent of Nigerians have already migrated from Nigeria to abroad,” she said.

  • JAMB to integrate Nigerian students from Sudan into universities

    JAMB to integrate Nigerian students from Sudan into universities

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has promised to ensure that Nigerian students evacuated from war-torn Sudan are integrated into universities.

    The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known in Abuja when the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, visited the board.

    The visit was to to discuss modalities for integrating the affected students into the country’s tertiary institutions.

    Oloyede, who sympathised with the students, commended NIDCOM for the effective handling of their evacuation, promised that JAMB would provide the desired support to them.

    He advised the students not to tread the path of those who returned to the country over a year ago as a result of Ukraine’s war.

    The JAMB Registrar said the Ukraine returnees refused to comply with the stipulated procedures to continue their academic programmes in Nigeria.

    ”What we will do is that we will provide the necessary infrastructure, the necessary enablement to make you accommodate or return these students to our educational system,” Oloyede said.

    ”We must thank NIDCOM for making efforts that the students are brought into the Nigerian university system and we have given the Commission the process and procedure.

    “There are procedures (for transfer of students), the transcript, the rules and regulations.

    “Nobody should be under any illusion that Nigerian universities will award certificate with less than two years stay and residency in the university.

    ”The procedure is done legitimately and properly with the cooperation of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the individual institution.

    “The guideline from JAMB has already been handed over to the chairperson of the commission,” Oloyede added.

    He said that the students should follow the procedures for transfer to Nigerian universities.

    “For instance, if you are studying Medicine and you are in your 600 level, and if the Medical and Dental Council assesses what you have done; practical is okay, they will just move you to year 5, that is 500 level.

    ”You will do 500 level and 600 level, and you will have the certificate of the institution in Nigeria,” he explained.

    On her part, Dabiri-Erewa said 1,730 Nigerians had been evacuated from Sudan as of May 9, adding that majority of them were students eager to continue their education in Nigeria.

    She assured that the necessary procedures would be followed to integrate the affected students into Nigerian schools.

    ”The key thing is that there are processes to follow but they are not difficult processes and that is what we learnt from JAMB.

    “The institutions are already saying they want to give support, they want to admit them but the key thing is to follow the process as stipulated by JAMB.

    “All the information are in our website, process to follow, it should not be difficult to follow.

    ”The key thing is that JAMB has assured that it will provide the enabling environment and infrastructure.

    “If for instance a university admits you, after the admission, you need to get that letter from JAMB that says you have been admitted,” she said.

    The NIDCOM chairman added that information would be made available for the students so as not to make mistakes in getting things done.

    “I will also appeal to the students that there is a crisis, it is affecting them in one way or the other. How will this limit the impact or affect on them, whichever way, we must follow the process.

    “Most of them are hoping that the war will be over and they will go back, but what if it is not? What is the stop gap? That is why we are doing this with JAMB,” she said.

    One of the parents of the affected students, Asmau Yerima, commended NIDCOM and JAMB for ensuring that the students would not be abandoned at home doing nothing.

    “Our children are ready to go back to school, we don’t want to keep them at home and we don’t want them to be traumatised,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

  • PHOTOS: First batch of 376 stranded Nigerians in Sudan arrive in Abuja

    PHOTOS: First batch of 376 stranded Nigerians in Sudan arrive in Abuja

    The first batch of 376 Nigerian students trapped in war-torn Sudan has arrived in  Abuja.

    The students arrived at the Pilgrims Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja
    at exactly 11:25pm via the Air Peace Plane and the Nigeria Airforce Jet with the number NAF C-130.

    The first batch of the students was evacuated from Aswan border of Egypt.

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq; the Director General of NEMA; the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons were on hand to receive the returnees.

    Speaking shortly after their arrival, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management  announced the donation of a N100,000 stipend to each of the returnees courtesy of Dangote Foundation, while MTN Foundation doled out recharge cards worth N25,000 to each of the returnees.

    She said the N100,000 stipend donated by Dangote Foundation was for the returnees to use as transport fare to travel to their varous destinations with ease.

    The minister further said that MTN also donated 25GB of data to each of the evacuees.

    Also speaking, the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mohammad Yusuf,  said the situation in Sudan would soon be under control.

    Yusuf expressed happiness that Nigeria was able to evacuate its citizens safely.

    The envoy, who described Sudan as the second country to many Nigerians, said normalcy would be restored in the war-ravaged country soon.

    The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Ahmed, said that four more flights conveying Nigerians from Sudan are expected in Nigeria on Thursday.

    “The situation in Sudan is real and terrible but we pray peace returns to that country. I am happy our people have started coming back.

    “We are expecting about four flights tomorrow – three from Port Sudan and one from Aswan. So it is a process that has started and the tempo will keep on increasing.

    “This is something that nobody expected and so we had to swing into action immediately.

    “To get out of Sudan, we had to pay, to take our people to any other part, but we thank God that we are able to bring them back,” he said.

    He assured the returnees that the remaining evacuees waiting to be transported back home would soon arrive.

    Some of the evacuees who spoke to NAN expressed mixed feelings over the situation in Sudan.

    Mr Ibrahim Musa, a student who lived on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital Khartoum said he was devastated when he first heard the sound of gunshots and grenade explosion.

    ”The first thing that came to my mind was to escape and I thank God this is where I am now – home,” he said.

    Another evacuee, Mrs Faith Stephen, a pregnant woman, said she would go back to Sudan once the situation in that country stabilised.

    Stephen said that she and her husband had invested so much in Sudan and were engaged in a thriving joint business.

  • Reps invite Onyeama, Dabiri-Erewa over situation of Nigerians in Sudan

    Reps invite Onyeama, Dabiri-Erewa over situation of Nigerians in Sudan

    The House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to appear before it to give an account of the evacuation status of Nigerians in Sudan.

    The Speaker of the House of Reps, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila said this at the resumed plenary in Abuja on Tuesday on the crisis and evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan.

    Gbajabiamila said, over the last few weeks, the Republic of Sudan had descended into war, adding that unfortunately, such rapid descent into the carnage of violent conflict had entrapped many Nigerians resident in that country.

    He said, efforts were underway to ensure that Nigeria citizens resident in the Republic of Sudan, as students, business people and in other vocations, were evacuated quickly and safely.

    He said the House was aware of ongoing difficulties with the evacuation efforts and the federal government’s response to the developments in the Republic of Sudan.

    According to him,  we are also mindful that some of these difficulties flow from interagency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances.

    “While our priority is to ensure the welfare and well-being of our fellow citizens caught in this war, we must further revisit the statutory and other frameworks that have left us seemingly unprepared to respond promptly and effectively.”

    He said the conflict in Sudan reminded the House of the fragility of nations, adding that in pursuing the country’s political objectives, “we must never lose sight of the fundamental truth.

    This according to him is that, in war, everybody loses; in peace, everybody can win, adding that all personal, partisan and sectional interests must always succumb to the overarching and overriding interest of ensuring the unity and stability of Nigeria.

    ”If we fail in this regard, nothing else will matter, and none of us will be absolved in the judgment of history.”

  • Ondo Seaport will be actualised – Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    Ondo Seaport will be actualised – Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NidCOM), says the Ondo Seaport will soon be actualised.

    Dabiri-Erewa made this known at the end of a 3-day Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) held at the Conference Center of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Newsmen reports that the just-concluded NDIS had as its theme: “Optimising Investment Opportunities for National Development “.

    According to the NiDCOM chief, one of the major aims of the summit is to drive key investments in various local sectors of the economy.

    “The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, has assured that the dream of having an Ondo Seaport will soon be actualised,” she said.

    Dabiri-Erewaurged the participants to invest back home, as the state in focus, Ondo state, had been able to showcase the numerous investment opportunities in the state.

    Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, the Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), represented by Hajia Hafsat Kadiri, revealed the organisation’s readiness to support and partner with investors and developers.

    “The Diaspora City will be standing on 600 hectares of land in Abuja as a pilot project. We hope to extend it across the nation.

    “Diasporans are hereby welcome to build their own cities in their respective states,” he said.

    Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Dr George Ekpungu, Secretary to the commission said Nigeria was the best destination for Investment.

    “Nigeria has vast opportunities which require responsibility to be turned into National investment. With Integrity and accountability in management of resources, investments will yield optimum benefits to both investors and the nation,” Bawa said..

    He said that the agency was committed to tackling corruption and sanitising the economic space to ensure investors get value for their money, especially through the three recent laws.

    “They are: Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act 2022, Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022, and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022,” he said.

    Amb. Zubairu Dada, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, represented by Dr Oludare Folowosele, described the diasporans as veritable sources of joy to the country.

    He assured that the ministry would continue to work closely with every stakeholder to champion the cause of the diasporans.

    Mr Adesola Olusade, the Permanent Secretary, FCT, commended NiDCOM and others partners for putting up the event.

    “It is obvious that the Diaspora summit has been getting better over the years. We look forward to having FCT as a state in focus, because the opportunities here are vast”, he said.

    Mr Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, challenged the diasporans to sell Nigeria as an investment destination to the world.

    “We can collaborate with those of us at home and those in the diaspora to bring more businesses to Nigeria. We need a pathway like interpretation of the constitution so that anyone with a link to Nigeria will identify himself as a Nigerian.,” he added.

    Mr Michael Ana-Nnachi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, urged diasporans to look inwards and work with the government to build an economy that would bring about a change in the fortunes of the nation.

    Ana-Nnachi further suggested that the summit be adopted as a forum for unity and diversity and an encouragement hub where knowledge was shared freely with the hope of transforming Nigeria.

    Newsmen reports that the 3-day event ended with a dinner and gala night to entertain participants and friends of Nigeria.