The debate over the Centre Piece of Nigerian Foreign Policy has finally been laid to rest, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada said Nigeria’s Foreign Policy is centred around the “protection of Nigerians across the globe”.
This is notwithstanding the continued assault on Nigerians resident in foreign countries, including diplomats.
The Minister said that it was in the spirit of the nation’s foreign policy thrust that the Federal Government provided funds for the evacuation of Nigerians during the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine.
Ambassador Dada said this in Abuja, while, receiving in the audience a delegation of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization (NIDO), UK South Chapter.
Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu in a statement disclosed that the delegation which was led by the Chairman of Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri also consist of Susan Waya, Chair of NIDO UK South, Femi Ikutiyinu, General Secretary, Hussaini Madaki Argungun and the Chair NIDO Poland among other NIDO dignitaries.
The Minister also tasked them to be good Ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they find themselves and not join in the destruction of the nation’s image abroad.
Ambassador Dada applauded them for their humanitarian services as well as contribution to the development and growth of their fatherland.
The Minister who recalled his participation in the establishment of NIDO in the year 2000 as the then Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland, expressed happiness over what he described as the Organization’s ability to overcome its teething challenges and grown to its present level.
While acknowledging the contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora to the growth and development of Nigeria especially through their remittances, Ambassador Dada urged them to always have at the back of their minds that Nigeria is the only home they have.
Earlier, the Chairman NIDO Hungary, Mr. Hussaini Madaki said they were in the country for this year’s NIDO week, tagged “A Week in Nigeria Project” holding from 18th -25th July.
Mr. Madaki however, commended the Federal Government for the timely evacuation of Nigerians from Ukraine.
He said NIDO had also contributed immensely in the evacuation process by providing support to the students, some of whom have lost hope due to the termination of their studies as a result of the war.
While applauding the Federal Government for enhanced E-Passport, Mr. Madaki appealed for reintroduction of the Fast-track System of issuing the E-Passport.
Before now, Nigerians were in the dark as to what the what Nigerian foreign policy aims to achieve.
This is in contrast to the golden era of “Africa First,” when Nigeria were famous and respected amongst the comity of nations.
