TheNewsGuru

Tag: NIDCOM

  • 300-Level Nigerian Student declared missing in Northern Cyprus

    300-Level Nigerian Student declared missing in Northern Cyprus

    Nigerian student studying in Cyprus, Abdulsamad  a 300-Level International Relations student of Cyprus Science University has been declared missing. He was until his reported disappearance living off-campus.

    This is coming days after an advisory was put out by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) warning Nigerian students from going to Northern Cyprus to study.

    Public Relations and Protocols Unit Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, confirmed his disappearance in Cyprus via a statement signed and released by him.

    Balogun added that the student’s mother cried to the commission asking for intervention in finding her child in Cyprus.

    Balogun said Ibraheem last spoke with her 28-year-old son on the phone on August 2, when he pleaded with her mother to come for him.

    The statement reads in part “According to the 54-year-old trader, who hails from Kogi State, she last spoke with her son on August 2, through another person’s phone number, when the son raised an alarm that they had come to pick me up to a detention camp”

    She said since that call from an unknown number, with her son wailing and asking for help, she had not known his whereabouts or heard any news from him or the school authorities.

    Confused about what to do, she reached out to the agent who secured the admission and travelling documents for her son but he was not forthcoming too.

    “She said she was advised to write a petition to the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by a friend, which she did before someone told her that Abike Dabiri-Erewa had earlier advised Nigerians to be wary of Northern Cyprus, hence reaching out to Dabiri-Erewa for help”,

    Receiving the petition on behalf of Dabiri-Erewa, the Secretary of the Commission, Dr Sule Bassi, assured Ibraheem that everything possible would be done to help locate her son and bring him back to the country.

    Bassi reiterated that the country doesn’t enjoy diplomatic relations with Northern Cyprus but would do everthing within the body’s power to intervene.

    He pleaded with Ibraheem to take care of her health, reassured her that further investigation would be carried out by the Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

    He further revealed that  the earlier advisory given by the Commission concerning sending students to Northern Cyprus, due to the negative reports received, especially from the students should be followed strictly.

  • Mother seeks NiDCOM’s help as child goes missing in Northern Cyprus

    Mother seeks NiDCOM’s help as child goes missing in Northern Cyprus

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says a 28-year-old Nigerian student has been reported missing in Northern Cyprus since Aug. 2.

    The commission said this in a statement issued in Abuja by its Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocol, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

    Balogun said that the disappearance of the student was reported to the commission by his mother, Mrs. Dije Ibraheem.

    The report of the missing student came barely 24 hours after NiDCOM repeated advisory to Nigerians against seeking educational succour in Türkiye Republic of Northern Cyprus.

    He said that the missing student, AbdulSamad Abubakar, had called the mother on Aug. 2, through another person’s phone number, crying “they have come to pick me up to a detention camp”.

    “Mrs Ibraheem said AbdulSamad is a 300-Level International Relations student of Cyprus Science University and was living off campus.

    “She said since that call on Aug. 2, 2022 from an unknown number, with her son wailing and asking for help, she has not known his whereabout or heard any news from him or the school authorities.

    “Confused on what to do, she reached out to the agent who secured the admission and travelling documents for her son but he was not forthcoming too.”

    The woman also said she had written a petition to the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before coming to seek for NiDCOM’s intervention, Balogun added.

    According to him, the woman’s prayer is to get her only son back to Nigeria alive.

    “I am here today at NiDCOM to beg you in the name of God to help me bring back my son alive, as I am scared of hearing any bad news about my only child. Please help me, I am a single mother,” she was quoted as saying.

    The Secretary of the Commission, Sule Bassi, received the petition on behalf of the Chairman of NiDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    He assured Ibraheem that everything possible would be done to locate her son and bring him back to Nigeria.

    Bassi, however, reminded her that diplomatic services would be difficult, because Nigeria and the United Nations had no diplomatic relations with Northern Cyprus.

    He, however, assured her that further investigation would be carried out by the Commission in conjuction with the Nigeria Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

    “Here at NiDCOM, we are concerned about the welfare of Nigerians abroad as well as encouraging them to invest back home for national development,” he said.

    The secretary advised Ibraheem to take care of her health, as the commission investigates the matter.

    He reiterated the earlier advisory given by the Commission against sending students to Northern Cyprus due to negative reports from there, especially from students.

    Turkey’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hidayet Bayraktar on Thursday issued an open letter describing the advisory by the Commission as exaggerated.

    NiDCOM however responded by releasing the list of Nigerians murdered in Northern Cyprus within three years.

  • Real reasons Nigerians were denied entry to UAE – Dabiri-Erewa

    Real reasons Nigerians were denied entry to UAE – Dabiri-Erewa

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM) boss, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has stated reasons Nigerians are denied entry into the United Arab Emirate (UAE) despite having legitimate visas.

    Some Nigerians who travelled to UAE recently were denied entry into the country and have their passport seized.

    A video surfaced were some Nigerians whose passport were seized asked questions as to why the actions were taken by the Emirate authorities.

    Dabiri-Erewa has now cleared the air on reasons why the Emirate authorities took the decision

    Her statement reads ‘‘What the Dubai authorities have done is this, they have made the visa processes more stringent. If you are below 30, there is no visa for you; it is so difficult. They make it so stringent that you won’t be able to fulfil it; it does not matter who you are.

    ‘‘Secondly, if you are going to Dubai now, you have to provide a six-month bank statement, you have your ticket, and you must show proof of accommodation where you are going to stay. If you lie about where you are going to stay, they are going to know, so they are going to turn you back,” Dabiri-Erewa stated while featuring on a programme on Arise Tv.

    Dabiri  advised Nigerians to always do the needful and stop giving the country a bad name.

  • How Nigerians in diaspora should vote during elections – Obasanjo

    How Nigerians in diaspora should vote during elections – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has backed calls for Nigeria to adopt diaspora voting, stressing that Nigerians in the diaspora can vote through the embassies during elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Obasanjo stated this when the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa and some staff of the Commission paid him a courtesy call in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    He wondered why the National Assembly cannot amend the country’s laws to make room for Nigerians abroad to vote during elections, saying: “All that we needed to do, if there is need for constitution amendment, simple thing. Amend the constitution that Nigerians in the diaspora will vote through the Nigerian embassy, that’s all”.

    On her part, the NIDCOM boss lauded Obasanjo for the move to get Nigerians to coordinate their activities under a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations, (NIDO) over twenty years ago.

    She also informed the former president of some achievements of the NiDCOM since its establishment.

    “This engagement process has led to investment by Nigerians in Diaspora in critical sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, housing, among others,” a statement from the Commission’s Media, Public Relations Unit, signed by Gabriel Odu reads.

    The NIDCOM boss added that the Commission has also launched a Diaspora Data Mapping Portal for demographic and strategic development.

  • BREAKING: Tanzania police release Kizz Daniel

    BREAKING: Tanzania police release Kizz Daniel

    The Tanzanian Police have released popular Nigerian singer, Oluwatobiloba Daniel, popularly known as Kizz Daniel.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kizz Daniel was arrested following his failure to perform at a concert in Tanzania but Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed his release.

    The Buga crooner was scheduled to perform at the Warehouse, Old Nextdoor Arena in Tanzania on Sunday night as part of his Afro Classic World Tour.

    He had already been paid for the performance but said he forgot his clothes in Uganda. His refusal to perform resulted in fans damaging part of the concert arena.

    Following this, the organisers of the show had Kizz Daniel and some of his crew members arrested by policemen from their hotel.

    “KD has been released. His legal team will however report back to the police tomorrow while he will subsequently return back to Nigeria,” Dabiri-Erewa confirmed.

  • FG talks tough, says killer of Ogorchukwu in Italy must face the law

    FG talks tough, says killer of Ogorchukwu in Italy must face the law

    The federal government of Nigeria has condemned the gruesome murder of Alika Ogorchukwu by an unnamed Italian man in Civitanova, Marche Province of Italy.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that 39-year-old Ogorchukwu was beaten to death by the yet-to-be-identified Italian man on Friday 29th July, 2022 on a busy street in front of shocked onlookers.

    It was gathered that the onlookers made videos of the attack with little or no attempt to prevent it.

    The Nigerian government has called on the Italian government to bring the perpetrator of the heinous act under the jurisdiction of the Law without delay, according to a statement released Francisca Omayuli (Mrs), Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is deeply concerned and strongly condemns the gruesome murder of a Nigerian, Mr. Alika OGORCHUKWU, in Civitanova, Marche Province of Italy, by an unnamed Italian man, on 29 July 2022.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria condemns in the strongest terms the unjustifiable murder of Mr. Ogorchukwu and calls on the Government of Italy to bring the perpetrator of the heinous act under the jurisdiction of the Law without delay.

    “Accordingly, the Federal Government of Nigeria has directed its Embassy in Rome, Italy, to remain seized of the unwelcome development and work speedily, together with the relevant Italian authorities, to ensure that justice is served, in order to forestall a repeat of the unfortunate incident.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria is deeply saddened and commiserates with the family of the deceased and calls on all Nigerians to exercise restraint as the Law takes its course in the case.

    Meanwhile, a statement released by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has it that the Nigerian ambassador in Italy, Ambassador Mfawa Omini Abam had reassured Nigerians in Italy that citizen diplomacy remained the key thrust of his administration.

    Ambassador Abam in the statement vowed that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that all Nigerians in Italy receive timely, efficient and professional consular services.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to the brutal murder of Alika Ogorchukwu, a 39-year-old Nigerian citizen who was beaten to death by an Italian man on Friday 29th July, 2022, in Civitanova Marche city, located in the Province of Macerata, Marche Region of Italy.

    “The incident occurred on a busy street, in front of shocked onlookers some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it.

    “His Excellency, Ambassador Mfawa Omini Abam has condemned the gruesome murder and has commiserated with Mrs. Charity Oriachi, wife of the deceased and the rest of his family.

    “His Excellency has directed the provision of immediate consular assistance as appropriate. The Embassy is currently collaborating with relevant Italian authorities to ensure justice is served and to provide succour to the family of the deceased.

    “Ambassador Abam wishes to enjoin members of the Nigerian community in Italy to remain calm and to refrain from taking laws into their hands.

    “His Excellency wishes to reassure Nigerians in Italy that citizen’s diplomacy remained the key thrust of his administration and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all Nigerians in Italy receive timely, efficient and professional consular services. Embassy of Nigeria Rome, Italy”.

  • Don’t go to Northern Cyprus – NiDCOM advises Nigerians

    Don’t go to Northern Cyprus – NiDCOM advises Nigerians

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has advised Nigerians seeking greener pastures against travelling to Northern Cyprus.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM gave the advice in a statement released by Mr Gabriel Odu, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM.

    The advice followed a visit by members of the Nigerian Diaspora Youth Ambassador, which raised an alarm over the plight of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus.

    They said that Nigerian youths are suffering from intense depression as a result of the inhuman treatment meted to them, giving rise to the high rate of suicide amongst them in Northern Cyprus.

    President of the Association, Mr David Alozie, who led a four-man delegation to Dabiri-Erewa in Abuja, said the purpose of the visit to the Commission is to appeal for quick intervention on the plight of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus.

    He added that Nigerian students are being racially profiled and deported on arrival at the airport for establishing contact with any individual in Southern Cyprus.

    Mr Alozie added that Nigerian students are forced to pay for tuition in Pounds whereas other foreign students pay in Turkish Lira (TL).

    Mr. Alozie and his team expressed willingness to collaborate with NiDCOM and other relevant agencies to create more awareness on the challenges Nigerian youths are facing in Northern Cyprus.

    In his words “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not the best place to study, as the majority of the institutions there are not recognized by the European Union (EU) or any country in the world”.

    In her reaction, Dabiri-Erewa advised that Northern Cyprus is becoming a dangerous transit route for migrants, stressing that the country is not recognized by any country in the world except Turkey.

    She, therefore, stressed the need for further awareness to sensitize Nigerian youths who are leaving their country with the hope of better education.

    The NIDCOM Boss commended the President and his entire team’s efforts so far but explicitly stated that “the team has a bigger job to do in creating awareness for youths in Nigeria as it is better to stay in your country alive than risk your life in going to a country where uncountable and unresolved cases of young Nigerians have been and are still being recorded”.

    Dabiri-Erewa gave assurance that NiDCOM will continue to work with relevant agencies like the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Parent Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the nagging issue of Northern Cyprus.

    “It should be noted that Northern Cyprus is recognized only by the Republic of Turkey, and Nigeria and other countries do not have an Embassy there making it difficult to take Northern Cyprus up with the United Nations or European Union,” she noted.

  • Not one single woman at APC South-West leaders meeting – Abike Dabiri fumes

    Not one single woman at APC South-West leaders meeting – Abike Dabiri fumes

    Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has reacted to the absence of women at the APC South-West leaders meeting in Lagos.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the meeting was convened by Chief Bisi Akande, a former APC National Chairman and former governor of Osun, and Chief Olusegun Osoba, a former Ogun governor.

    Also present at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors and other party leaders.

    Abike Dabiri posted a photo of the men who attended the meeting, Abike wrote; ”Hmnnn! Meeting of Apc SouthWest Elders/ leaders.NOT ONE SINGLE WOMAN!From the whole of the SouthWest Dia is God oooooo”

  • Ukraine: FG condemns detention of Nigerians, other black students

    Ukraine: FG condemns detention of Nigerians, other black students

    The Federal Government has condemned the Polish Authority for detaining Nigerians and other African students who fled war-torn Ukraine due to their black skin.

    The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who said this in Abuja, expressed displeasure over the development, saying it was wrong and traumatic.

    Dabiri-Erewa was speaking at the commencement of a two-day Psychosocial Trauma Clinic for Ukraine returnees on Thursday.

    Newsmen reports that the clinic was organised by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NiDCOM and Project Victory Call (PVC) Initiative, Naija.

    Dabiri-Erewa said that some Nigerian students who fled war-torn Ukraine to neighbouring countries of Poland and Hungary were now in detention in Poland.

    A development she said was unacceptable by the Federal Government.

    She lauded the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, for making it possible for the stranded students to return home “imagine we are not able to bring them back home look at what is happening in Poland?

    “Some Africans and Nigerians decided not to return home, now Polish authority is now going around and capturing blacks and putting them in detention camps.

    “So, those Nigerians who refused to return are at a risk, some are in detention centres in Poland and they are in a traumatic condition.

    “However, inasmuch as Nigeria has given them the opportunity to come back home and they refused, it does not mean the Polish authority will grab them and put them in detention centres.

    “ The Federal Government is now calling on the Poland authority to release the blacks in their custody.

    It is not right for them to detain the blacks because they decided to take cover in their country (Poland).

    “They are not putting whites in those detention centres, so send them back to their countries instead of capturing them in detention centres which is the height of racism in a war situation,” she said.

    NiDCOM Chairman speaking on the voluntary traumatic psychosocial recuperation exercise for the returned students by concerned Nigerians PVC Naija.

    This would subsequently spread to the six geo-political zones for easy access.

    Speaking also, the Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mrs Imaan Suleiman, said the commission would provide offices across the country.

    She added that necessary tools and training for the psychosocial support to get to those in need.

    She added that it was a worthy cause because mental health was key and different people react to trauma differently due to their resilience nature.

    The Student Union President of Nigerian Students in Ukraine, Fehintola Moses, appreciated the Federal Government, especially the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, who he said personally reached out to him during the course of the repatriation.

    Also to NiDCOM Chairman and the National refugee’s commission for their efforts in ensuring that Nigerian students were safely evacuated back home.

    Fehintola who narrated his experience during the Ukraine war appealed to the Federal Government for more assistance to enable them to continue with their studies when the situation calmed down.

    He also appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace and to say no to war.

    Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, the convener of Project Victory Call Initiative and the volunteers for the programme, said four psychologists were mobilised from Plateau and Sokoto States for the first phase of the programme.

    He added that “trauma has become a part of our lives and when we are faced with the triggers we need to nip it in the bud that was the reason for the programme,’’ he said.

  • Second batch of Nigerian evacuees from Poland arrive Abuja

    Second batch of Nigerian evacuees from Poland arrive Abuja

    Nigerian evacuees from Ukraine via Poland

    The second flight from Poland with 123 persons, including an infant on board Air Peace, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Intl. Airport Friday at about 1:20 a.m. local time.

    They were received by the Head, Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Terab Abdulrahman and officials of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies who welcomed them home.

    A third evacuation flight will depart Budapest, Hungary to Abuja at 8:00am on Saturday. Interested Nigerians fleeing Ukraine are advised to contact the Nigerian embassy in Ukraine for necessary arrangements.

    Nigerian and Ukrainian governments Wednesday overcame initial political and logistical challenges to commence the safe evacuation of stranded students in Sumy, a city in the far north-eastern part of Ukraine within the Central Russian Upland.

    So far a total number of 1,076 Nigerians fleeing the crisis in Ukraine -415 persons from Bucharest Romania, 181 persons from Warsaw Poland and 480 persons from Budapest Hungary – have been evacuated back to Nigeria.