By Muhammad Mamman
Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has applauded Cross River State for blazing the trail in strengthening Nigeria’s ties with its citizens abroad.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Bassey Otu at Government House, Calabar, Dabiri-Erewa praised the state for becoming the first in Nigeria to establish a dedicated diaspora commission. She described Cross River’s efforts as “impressive and historic”, even joking that NiDCOM’s national headquarters could be relocated to Calabar.
She urged the state to deepen its engagement by actively participating in national diaspora programmes, including the annual Diaspora Day (25–26 July) and the Diaspora Merit Awards, which celebrate Nigerians excelling abroad while contributing to development at home.
Governor Otu, in turn, commended Dabiri-Erewa for her pioneering leadership, which he said had bridged the gap between Nigeria and its citizens overseas while reshaping global perceptions of Nigerians.
“The speed with which we established the Cross River Diaspora Office was inspired by your track record,” Otu remarked. “Before your leadership, there was a disconnect between Nigeria and the wider world; today, that story has changed.”
The governor announced that Cross River will host the National Diaspora Focal Persons Summit in October, a high-profile event expected to attract stakeholders from across Nigeria and international partners. He assured that the state—one of the country’s safest and most attractive destinations—was ready to use the summit to showcase its investment potential in infrastructure, health, tourism, and agriculture.
Earlier, Otu Okor, chairman of the Cross River Diaspora Commission (CRIDCOM), revealed that within just four months of its creation, the commission had engaged with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and revived ties with Maryland, USA. With the governor’s backing, he said, CRIDCOM was preparing to sign a formal partnership with the IOM to cement Cross River’s role as a hub for diaspora collaboration.
