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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against travelling to Northern Cyprus no fewer than 20 have met their untimely death due to human right abuses meted to them in that country.
Director General of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the warning at the 48th session of the State House ministerial media briefing, organised by the presidential communications team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
The NIDCOM chairman, while providing an update on the commission’s activities, expressed regret that Nigerians are being killed on a daily basis in Northern Cyprus, with no one able to intervene due to the political situation there.
She warned that the country, which is only recognised by Turkey, does not have robust mechanisms that would enable the Nigerian government pursue justice for several Nigerian students killed in Northern Cyprus.
She said: “Officially called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Northern Cyprus is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the Island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is largely considered by the United Nations and the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.
“Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We can’t do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily.”
Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed over 10,000 stranded Nigerians have been evacuated so far.
She added that every Nigerian stranded in the Ukraine at the start of the conflict have returned home safely.
She also said students psychologically affected by the conflict have undergone proper counselling before continuing their education either online or onsite by enrolling into local universities to continue their programmes.
Dabiri-Erewa commended Nigerians in diaspora for their continued support to the development of the country despite the security challenges, saying they have committed $20 billion in 2021 and $4.8 billion as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
According to her, “home remittances is four times our FDI and contributes about 6.1 per cent of our annual GDP. Our diaspora are now an economic factor for development which we have coined a term, Diaspora Direct Investment.”
The NiDCOM boss also dismissed Nigerians in diaspora’s fears that the current security situation would jeopardise their business interests in the country.
She said Nigerian security forces have recently been bombarding terrorists in a determined attempt to end their menace, expressing confidence that whoever invests in the country among the diaspora people will receive a return on their investment.
While stressing the importance of Nigerians in the diaspora, the NIDCOM boss said they have continued to contribute their skills and resources to the development of the country in various sectors such as health, education, technology, finance, transportation, housing and entertainment.
While reiterating the call for diaspora voting during general election in Nigeria, Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need for Nigeria to toe the parts of other countries in the world.
The NiDCOM chairman, who lamented that the National Assembly has not given the needed cooperation in that regard, however, expressed optimism that the matter would be given the needed attention at the end of the appropriate time.
