TheNewsGuru

Tag: NIDCOM

  • Nigeria evacuates 807 citizens from Ukraine

    Nigeria evacuates 807 citizens from Ukraine

    Nigeria has evacuated 807 of its citizens from war-raged Ukraine as of Saturday.

    The evacuees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in three flights.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first batch of 450 Nigerians stranded in Ukraine arrived aboard Max Air flight 747 at 7:10 a.m., on Friday through Romania.

    The second batch came aboard Air Peace Boeing 777-300 flight (APK7534) and arrived in Abuja with 183 passengers including kids through Warsaw.

    The third batch of 174 evacuees arrived at 11.50 p.m. on Friday through Hungary.

    Report says that many Nigerians and other nationals have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on its neighbour on Feb. 24.

    The Federal Government approved the release of 8.5 million dollars on Wednesday for the immediate evacuation of at least 5,000 Nigerians fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict zone to Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.

    On Feb. 28, the Federal Government said Nigeria’s diplomatic mission had received 256 citizens from Ukraine at Bucharest, Hungary, Poland and Romania following the invasion.

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has been at the forefront of the evacuation.

  • WAR : Nigerians in Ukraine safely entering Poland- Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    WAR : Nigerians in Ukraine safely entering Poland- Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    The Chairman, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that Nigerians stranded in war-hit Ukraine have started crossing into Poland.

    She said this in response to a tweet by one @miss_debeham which read, “Passport stamped. I’m in Poland. Thank you, guys.”

    Reacting, the NiDCOM boss wrote, “Congrats. More Nigerians safely getting into Poland. A big thanks to the Nigerian mission in Poland and executives and members of NidoPoland.”

    The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Federal Government said measures were ongoing to evacuate citizens stranded in Ukraine through the Nigerian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the disclosure in a statement titled, ‘Public Notice From The Nigerian Embassy In Poland,’ on Saturday.

    Read Also

    The statement read, “In light of the happenings in Ukraine, please be advised that all Nigerians crossing over to Poland would have staff of the Nigerian Embassy waiting for them.

    “The Federal Government is making necessary arrangements for the evacuation of those stranded in Ukraine through the Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Please present this as your destination address with the Border Control: 02-953, Kosiarzy 22B, 02-956 Warsaw.”

  • Be responsible for your security and safety, FG tells Nigerians in Ukraine

    Be responsible for your security and safety, FG tells Nigerians in Ukraine

    FOLLOWING Russia’s launch of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Nigerian Embassy in Kiev Thursday issued an advisory to its citizens to “remain calm but be very vigilant and be responsible for their personal security and safety”.

    Ukraine’s airspace has been and flights canceled after the country announced a state of emergency on Wednesday.

    In a new travel advice released on Thursday, the embassy added that add: “should any of Nigerian nationals considers the situation as emotionally disturbing, such nationals may wish to temporary relocate to anywhere consider safe by private arrangements”.

    It further advised Nigerian nationals to ensure that they do all the needful to validate all their resident documents for ease of return to the country when desired.

    “In case of students seeking such temporary relocation, they are enjoined to seek proper clearance and guarantee from their respective institutions, authorities/agents on the way forward in respect to their studies during this period and/or thereafter,” the statement said.

    The Embassy, however, assured those “who still consider it appropriate to remain in the country”, that it would remain open for consular duties and responsibilities at all times.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa had given assurances that “the Nigerian Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine is doing all it can for the safety and security of all Diaspora Nigerians” and urged citizens to remain calm.

    Dabiri-Erewa also asked Nigerian Citizens in Ukraine to visit the Embassy website and follow the Registration Process.

  • NiDCOM urges Nigerians in Ukraine to remain calm

    NiDCOM urges Nigerians in Ukraine to remain calm

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on Sunday called on Nigerian citizens living in Ukraine to remain calm, amid growing fears that Russia could invade Ukraine.

    The call is contained in a statement by Mr Gabriel Odu, a Media, Public Relations, and Protocol Officer at NiDCOM.

    The statement made it clear that Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM had earlier urged Nigerians in Ukraine to be calm and security conscious in view of the strained relations between Ukraine and Russia.

    “Dabiri-Erewa has assured that the Nigerian Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine is doing all it can to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians in that country.

    “The NiDCOM boss also urged Nigerian citizens in Ukraine to visit the embassy’s website and duly follow the registration processes.

    “Meanwhile a statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Kiev has further provided information and necessary action with regards to emergencies and concerns,” the stayement quoted Dabiri-Erewa as saying.

    Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has announced the increase of U.S. troops in Europe to strengthen North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO’s) eastern flank as a response to the build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border.

    A total of 1,700 troops will be redeployed from the U.S. to Poland, while a further 300 troops are to be sent to Germany.

    In turn, some 1,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Germany will be redeployed to Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine.

  • Nigerians, good ambassadors in Japan – Envoy

    Nigerians, good ambassadors in Japan – Envoy

    The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, has described Nigerians resident in Japan as good ambassadors of the country.
    The envoy gave the commendation in a statement signed by Mr Gabriel Odu, the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and made available to Newsmen in Abuja.
    According to the statement, the ambassador gave the commendation when he visited the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her office in Abuja on Wednesday.
    The envoy commended the efforts of NiDCOM, saying that Nigerians in Japan are doing well and are good ambassadors of their country.
    He said that the purpose of the visit was to promote grassroots exchange system between the people of Nigeria and Japan.
    Also, he said that it was to learn the structure of NiDCOM in order to look into the possibility of replicating same in their country to cater for about 1.4 million Japanese in the Diaspora.
    Kazuyoshi commended Nigerians in Japan, being one of the most populous immigrant communities doing excellently well, especially in the areas of sports and business, as well as social ethics like Mr. Ikenna Nweke.
    He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in creating Ease of Doing Business in the country, which has about 27 Japanese companies doing business in Nigeria.
    Responding, Dabiri-Erewa expressed joy on the scorecard of Nigerians resident in Japan by the envoy, saying there is a strong union of Nigerians in Japan who are doing great exploits.
    She added that many of them have contributed variously in giving back to the grassroots level in Nigeria through Sports and other means of empowerment.
    She agreed that the people-to-people relationship at the grassroots level; would strongly foster the relationship between Japan and Nigeria.
    The NiDCOM boss assured that the Commission is ready to cooperate and partner with Japan in areas of staff training and development.

    Newsmen reports that Mr Ikenna Nweke, a Nigerian Doctorate Student of Tsukuba University, found a wallet containing “a huge sum of money, a credit card, and other valuables”.

    While some people in his shoes may have regarded the finding as sheer luck, Mr Nweke did not only hand in the wallet to the police but declined a reward of 10 per cent of the money to which he is legally entitled.

    The owner of the wallet was informed by the police to collect it and he personally called and thanked Mr. Nweke. A week later, the Ibaraki police wrote a letter to the Nigerian PhD student commending him for his honesty.

    The Nigerian Embassy in Tokyo also issued a Letter of Commendation to the honest exemplary Nigerian.

  • FG rejects autopsy of Nigerian lady who died in Côte d’Ivoire after she was wrongly jailed

    FG rejects autopsy of Nigerian lady who died in Côte d’Ivoire after she was wrongly jailed

    The Federal Government of Nigeria and the family of the late Itunu Babalola, the Nigerian lady who died in Côte d’Ivoire after she was wrongly jailed have rejected the autopsy report on the cause of her death.

    Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the father of the deceased, Mr Emmanuel Babalola, on Tuesday gave this position at a meeting at the NiDCOM office in Lagos State.

    Recall that 24-year-old Itunu from Oyo State died on November 14 and Nigerians took to social media to express angst over her death.

    Itunu got entangled in a legal battle when she reported to the police that her house in Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire had been burgled.

    She was said to have been charged to court and the prosecutor, in collaboration with the police, allegedly compromised the case and accused her of human trafficking.

    Itunu was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison which was later reduced to 10 years, but she died two years into her jail term.

    Speaking, Dabiri-Erewa, who expressed NiDCOM deepest condolences to Babalola’s family, said that though she (Dabiri-Erewa) was not a doctor, the autopsy left so many questions unanswered.

    “I am not a doctor but when I looked at the autopsy report itself, “Sepsis Complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress“, that is not acceptable even to me without being a doctor and I don’t think that should be acceptable.

    “I believe that Nigeria should not just let this matter go just like that. We need to demand justice. How come she just died after everything has been done for her release?” she asked.

    According to her, the case had been transferred to Abidjan, the lawyer fees had been paid before the unfortunate incident.

    “Even the lawyer said that the girl was not guilty of the crime she was accused of. This autopsy, even to me does not appear acceptable. So, I hope that we would not let the case go like that,” Dabiri-Erewa added.

    She said that the police officer in the case had been reported to Interpol, saying; “we are not going to relent. That police officer must be questioned.

    “I am sure the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take the next necessary steps to demand from Cote d’Ivoire a lot more information than they have given about what happened to Itunu’s case.”

    According to her, there is the need for African countries to treat one another with respect, decency and dignity.

    The NiDCOM boss, who hinted that some lawyers had indicated interest in approaching ECOWAS Court on the matter, said that Itunu would get vindication and justice even in death to give the family succour.

    “Again, it is a tough one, it is a tragic one. It should not have happened. If we let this go just like that, others will go just like that.

    “How could this have even happened in another West African country? We will do all we can.

    “Now that the autopsy report is out, there are more questions to ask. How was Itunu treated in prison? How come she just died like that when the next thing was for her to be released, she asked.

    Earlier, Mr Babalola, who commended the Federal Government’s efforts to get her late daughter released from the prison before she died as well as getting the corpse released.

    “I am not satisfied with the cause of death of my daughter. The autopsy was read but I am not satisfied with it.

    “When the Ivorian government took Itunu to hospital, she was bleeding, blood coming out of her mouth and nose, and I did not know what really happened until I heard suddenly that my daughter is dead.

    “This has put me in sadness since then. I want the case to continue. I reject the autopsy.

    “I want to know the cause of her death. I want the Nigerian government to please help me and investigate further what led to her death,” the father who wept profusely said.

    Babalola said that doctors informed him that what the Ivorian government claimed killed his daughter could not have killed her within 24 hours.

    He called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the National Assembly to intervene in the case.

    Dabiri-Erewa presented a cheque of an undisclosed amount to Mr Babalola as support from NiDCOM to the family.

  • We need funds; Nigerians abroad will continue to pay $100 charges – FG

    We need funds; Nigerians abroad will continue to pay $100 charges – FG

    The federal government (FG) has said the country is in need of funds, and therefore, Nigerians in diaspora will continue to pay charges and levies imposed at the foreign missions.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; and Controller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede elaborated this when they appeared before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Tuesday.

    They explained that the charges and levies were due to paucity of funds to run operations, while also explaining how they were addressing issues affecting Nigerians in other countries.

    At the two-day investigative hearing organised by the committee, which began on Tuesday, Onyema noted that the charges had been in existence and were only suspended.

    “The $100 they (Nigerians in the US) said has been added is voluntary; it is just for those who want to have their biometrics done without an appointment. If you wait for your appointment, you will g.t it (done) and not pay. But if you want it the same day, then pay $100,” the Minister said.

    Onyema also said his ministry planned to make Nigerians in diaspora have access to a 24/7 call centre in Nigeria which would take complaints from across the world.

    In his presentation, the CG of the NIS decried the shortage of passport booklets, which he described as the biggest challenge facing the service.

    “The passport is the biggest challenge. When we talk about passports, the challenges are ours; some of the challenges are with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and some are with Nigerians themselves. On our side, we have the huge challenge of scarcity of passport booklets,” Babandede said.

    He lamented that the NIS had only 47 offices across Nigeria despite the huge population of the country.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that the presentations by Babandede and Onyema “have shed a lot of light on happenings and innovations going on in immigration.

    “We are going to set up a NIDCOM app which can be downloaded by all Nigerians in diaspora to even bring in their complaints and all.

    “Also, the diaspora commission is very soon going to launch an Internet radio, where we are going to have communication all the time with our brothers and sisters in diaspora. So, the key thing is communication”.

  • NIDCOM announces return of stranded Nigerians in Libya

    NIDCOM announces return of stranded Nigerians in Libya

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has officially announced the return of 118 Nigerians who were stranded in Libya.

    NIDCOM made this known in a post on Twitter.

    According to the organization, the returnees who arrived in Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday include 51 males, 41 females, 17 children, and nine infants.

     

    The Commission said, “118 Returnees ( 51 Males, 41 Females, 17 Children, and nine Infants ) Stranded Nigerians in Libya just arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 1.30am local time today 17th March 2021 via Buraq Air.

    “The returnees will be quarantined at the Federal Capital Territory Hajj camp for 14 days in line with the new COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.”

     

    NIDCOM boss, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, thanked all those who made their return to Nigeria possible, She urged Nigerians to avoid going on journeys which she described as deadly and illegal.

    She tweeted, “We@nidcom_gov thank the @IOM_Nigeria @UNmigration for making this happen. Again, we appeal to Nigerians to avoid these deadly, illegal journeys.”
  • Why Nigerians are leaving Nigeria in droves – NiDCOM boss

    Why Nigerians are leaving Nigeria in droves – NiDCOM boss

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has identified and listed 5 key reasons why Nigerians are leaving the country in droves.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dabiri-Erewa listed the 5 key reasons at a lecture she delivered on: “Migration, Diaspora and Africa’s Development at the National Defence College for Participants of Course 29 in Abuja.

    Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the NiDCOM boss described migration as a natural phenomenon that cannot be stopped but that managed migration must be encouraged for positive impact on the migrant, the country of origin and the host country.

    She maintained that the diaspora phenomena is the product of legitimate migration, hence the need for regular (legal) migration as opposed to irregular (illegal) migration.

    She further stated that Nigeria is now experiencing the feminisation of migration, a situation where more women are getting involved than men in labour migration.

    She revealed that her Commission was in high level talks with countries, especially those in Europe to mainstream migration issues for a win-win situation for both destination and departure countries.

    The NiDCOM boss listed the 5 key factors driving migration from Nigeria to include: security, economic, environmental, socio- political and other pull and push factors.

    On Nigeria diaspora population, Dabiri-Erewa said that an estimated 17 million Nigerians are scattered all over the world accomplishing excellent feats in medicine, health, high tech, education, economy and many others both to their host countries and country of origin.

    “In 2019 alone, Nigerians in Diaspora remitted about $25billion dollars to shore up the economy,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

    She added that the Commission is ever ready to act as a bridge between Nigeria and its Diasporas to harness the abundant human capital, skills and talents to build a formidable nation

    She gave assurances that the Commission has its contact desks in international and governmental agencies to liaise and speed up intervention processes.

  • NiDCOM chair demands justice for killing of George Nkencho in Ireland

    NiDCOM chair demands justice for killing of George Nkencho in Ireland

    Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman /CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has demanded justice for Mr George Nkencho, a 27-year-old Nigerian killed in Ireland.

    Dabiri-Erewa in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Head of Media and Public Relations, condemned in strong terms the killing of Nkencho,

    She described as callous and wicked, the killing of the Nigerian by a police officer.

    The NiDCOM chair, therefore, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

    She appealed to the enraged Nigerian community in Ireland to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of investigation into the unfortunate incident.

    She condoled with the family of he deceased and the Nigerian community in Ireland over the incident and prayed God to give the family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.