Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri -Erewa, who was on the June cover of Accomplish Magazine, stated that her passion for altruism and compassion led to the establishment of the Diaspora Investment Fund.
Through her significant contributions to NiDCOM, she has established a plan providing financial support and incentives to Nigerians abroad who wish to invest in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Abike Dabiri hopes that by encouraging Nigerians living abroad to engage in vital fields like technology, healthcare, education, and agriculture, they will be able to support their nation’s economic growth.
In addition to providing Nigerians living abroad with investment options, the Diaspora Investment Fund is a calculated strategic move that fosters employment creation and economic expansion in the nation.
Again, through her intervention, Abike Dabiri seeks to address the brain drain challenge by providing a platform for professionals to engage in meaningful and impactful projects in Nigeria. The program offers various incentives such as mentoring, networking opportunities, and support for professional development.
Under Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s direction, one of the NIDCOM’s most important initiatives was the return of Nigerians who became stuck in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When foreign travel was prohibited, a large number of Nigerians were left stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
The NIDCOM made great efforts to guarantee their safe return to Nigeria.
Through this intervention, the commission not only showed how concerned they are for the wellbeing of Nigerians living overseas, but also how well-equipped they are to work with international authorities to make the repatriation process easier.
According to The Punch, ten trafficked Nigerian teenagers were rescued, allegedly by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Ghana.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDO), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated that the girls were rescued following a tip-off by the NIDO Ghana chapter.
The ten Nigerian girls who were rescued from human traffickers in Ghana are now safe and getting care.
The girls, eight from Imo State and two from Plateau State, were released after the suspect was apprehended and is currently in police custody.
In a series of videos that went viral on social media on Friday, the young girls, aged 15 to 18, were said to have been recruited into prostitution in Ghana.
In a statement on Saturday, Dabiri-Erewa thanked the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana and Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, the Ghana BoT Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the spokesperson for NiDCOM.
The girls who had been trafficked were safe and in good health thanks to their efforts. Dabiri-Erewa emphasised the persistent problem of human trafficking while applauding the successful rescue effort.
She emphasised the significance of keeping an eye out and the necessity of identifying, naming, and shaming traffickers in order to stop this threat.
The rescued girls are expected to travel back to Nigeria the following week.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, which is in charge of managing trafficking cases, will receive them when they arrive.
A portion of the statement said, “While these girls are being rescued, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that more are likely still being trafficked, pointing out that traffickers must be apprehended, identified, and shamed.
“The girls will be turned over to NAPTIP, the agency in charge of trafficking, upon their expected return to Nigeria next week.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, confirmed that the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the viral video featuring 10 Nigerian teenagers trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.
See video below: