Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, urged Nigerians living abroad on Saturday not to be upset that they would not be taking part in the 2023 general elections because it had not been supported by legislation.
She gave them advice to step up their efforts to lobby the National Assembly to draft legislation allowing for Diaspora voting but also issued a warning against breaking the law when trying to raise money for presidential candidates.
The NIDCOM chairperson made these remarks at the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas’ 2022 Annual General Meeting, which was held at the Nigerian Consulate in New York and virtually observed by journalists in Abuja. The meeting’s theme was “NIDOA Renaissance: Leveraging on New Generation Leadership.”
Participants included NIDOA representatives from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Calgary, Canada; Washington, DC; Savannah, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; Minnesota; New Jersey; and New York.
“I know that you can’t vote in 2023, but don’t be disappointed. Rather, you need to work harder to lobby the National Assembly to make it possible for the Diasporans to be able to vote. However, you have the voice and use your voice to urge all eligible voters to vote”, Dabiri-Erewa said.
Recently, the National Assembly rejected a bill that sought to include Diaspora voting in the constitution.
However, Dabiri-Erewa warned the Diasporans from breaking Nigerian laws in their attempts to raise money for the presidential candidates of their choosing.
“I have been hearing stories that you are going to raise this money for one person or the other person. Whatever you do, don’t break the laws of elections and funding in Nigeria. I think that is very important.
“So, I won’t encourage you to break any law relating to political funding; you know how it is operated in America. Ensure you observe the laws also in Nigeria. So as we move on, I can guarantee you that under this administration, we will continue to protect our Diasporans.
“I urge you as the President always says three things: be good ambassadors, obey the laws of whatever countries you are and let us continue to be proud of you and what you are doing”, she said.
Members of NIDOA were assured of the commission’s strong partnership by Dabiri-Erewa.
Tope Esan, the chairman of the NIDOA Board of Trustees, stated that the organization’s goal was to foster a sense of patriotism, networking, and cooperation among Nigerians living abroad so that they would be successful both individually and collectively in the Americas nations where they dwell.
He claimed that they are also working to mobilize the enormous human capital, cutting-edge technology, and depth of knowledge held by Nigerians living abroad in order to create a bigger Nigeria.
According to him, the current Board devised a three-pronged strategy to address the current problems the organization is facing after conducting a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threat) Analysis.
“The focus areas are NIDOA image redemption, strategic partnerships and giving back to Nigeria and growing NIDOA’s base”, he said.
The event featured a number of activities, such as a morning breakfast meeting with state legislators, an afternoon AGM session with chapters and members in attendance, and an evening gala and supper for members and the general public.
Participants also took the opportunity to honor Prof. Joseph Igietseme, an Edo native who served as Chief of the Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2002 to 2004.
On May 24, 2022, Igietseme passed away. He was also the president of the NIDOA chapter in South Savannah, Georgia.
