The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has emphasized the vital role Nigerians in the Diaspora played as agents of change, innovation, investment, and social transformation.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Governor Otu made this assertion during the 4th State Diaspora Focal Point Officers (SDFPO) Summit held in Calabar, the state capital. The summit brought together state diaspora focal officers, government representatives, and development partners to strengthen diaspora engagement across Nigeria.
According to Governor Otu, the establishment of State Diaspora Focal Point Offices and the hosting of regular summits are strategic ways to harness the potential of Nigerians abroad. He reiterated that the Cross River State Diaspora Commission (CRIDCOM) was set up to coordinate efforts in tapping into the resources and expertise of Cross Riverians in the diaspora for national development.
“The National Diaspora Policy of 2021 provides a robust framework for engagement, and Cross River is proud to take the lead in implementing this vision through CRIDCOM,” Otu said.
The summit also featured the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who reiterated the importance of state-level involvement in diaspora affairs.
“The diaspora cannot be ignored anymore in Nigeria,” she stated, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to diaspora-related initiatives. She called on all state governments to continue supporting their Focal Point Officers to ensure sustained diaspora dividends.
Senator Bassey Aniekan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, NGOs and Civil Societies represented by Deputy Chairman, Senator Anthony Yaro described the diaspora as a new economic window for Nigeria, contributing skills, knowledge, and global networks essential for growth.
“The strengthening of state and diaspora relations will drive growth and deepen unity across Nigeria,” he said.
Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, also noted that diaspora contributions are already evident across Nigeria, with remittances from Nigerians abroad exceeding $20 billion annually, according to Central Bank data.
Prince Otu Okor, Chairman of CRIDCOM, hailed the summit as a landmark event, highlighting Cross River State’s pioneering role as the first state to establish a diaspora commission modeled after NIDCOM.
The event was attended by representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as Focal Point Officers from Akwa Ibom, Benue, Enugu, Niger, FCT, Kogi, Ekiti, Edo, and Cross River states.
The summit’s theme was: “Nigerians in Diaspora as Agents for Positive Image of Nigeria and State Involvement as a Platform for Diaspora Engagement in National Development.”
