The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has warned the Federal Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Nigerian Missions abroad, against engaging with a group presenting itself as “NIDO Worldwide.”
NiDCOM, in a statement signed by its Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Tuesday, said the organisation, as currently presented by certain individuals, was not a duly constituted body with the authority to speak on behalf of all Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) chapters worldwide.
The Commission explained that NIDO was established as a non-political, non-governmental umbrella organisation for Nigerians in the Diaspora, with structures at country and continental levels.
However, it said the organisation had over the years experienced leadership disputes, factionalisation and fragmentation in some of its structures, with NIDO not existing in several countries where other credible Diaspora organisations operate.
NiDCOM specifically addressed the activities of Mr. Chibuzor Ubochi, who it said had been presenting himself as the leader of “NIDO Worldwide.”
According to the Commission, Ubochi is a factional chairman of one of the continental chapters and has a pending court case in connection with the matter.
“Consequently, NiDCOM strongly advises the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and Nigerian Missions abroad to exercise extreme caution and avoid falling victim to a phantom organisation calling itself ‘NIDO Worldwide’,” the Commission said.
NiDCOM also expressed concern over the prolonged crises within some NIDO structures, urging the various factions to resolve their differences, put their houses in order and work together in the overall interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The Commission further cautioned Diaspora groups against dragging NIDO into political partisanship, stressing the need to preserve the organisation’s non-political character.
It advised MDAs and Nigerian Missions abroad to seek clarification and guidance from NiDCOM before engaging with any individual or organisation claiming to represent Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The Commission noted that it maintains a register of duly registered Diaspora groups and associations, which can be consulted to establish the status and legitimacy of organisations claiming to represent Nigerians abroad.
NiDCOM reaffirmed its commitment to working with duly constituted Diaspora organisations and well-meaning Nigerians in the Diaspora worldwide, in line with its mandate to harness the human and material resources of Nigerians abroad for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
