NASS establishes diaspora liaison office, assures of beneficial laws

A liaison office has been formed by the 10th National Assembly to improve collaboration with non-governmental organizations, civil societies, Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Nigerians living abroad.

This was revealed yesterday at the third round of the Zumunta Association USA Inc Benevolent Palliative Project Awards in Abuja by Sen. Victor Umeh, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, NGOs, and Civil Societies.
The chairman stated that the office, which had not previously existed, aims to strengthen and broaden the interaction between Nigerians living abroad and those at home for the benefit of the nation. Sen. Anthony Siyako Yaro, who is the deputy chairman, was present.

The senator promised that reciprocally advantageous laws will be enacted by the National Assembly to safeguard the interests of Nigerians living abroad while also advancing national development in their home country.
He declared, “We in the Senate have actually fashioned out our programs and goals in the next four years to ensure that Nigerians living abroad are Nigerians at heart. Our primary goal is to enact new legislation and change existing legislation to reflect current conditions.

We truly value your help and will provide it to you to the fullest extent necessary to advance our initiative. Because they constantly provide something new and extra, diasporans are the engine level.

In addition to assisting your people, we are working with financial institutions to develop financial instruments that will allow you to profit from your own wealth and investments. Therefore, we will enact legislation to ensure that these things are done correctly, that they are used, and that we reap the rewards.

He declared, “We in the Senate have actually fashioned out our programs and goals in the next four years to ensure that Nigerians living abroad are Nigerians at heart. Our primary goal is to enact new legislation and change existing legislation to reflect current conditions.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, stated in her remarks that a N700,000 check was given to a number of NGOs and beneficiaries chosen from Yobe, Zarmfara, Kebbi Jigawa, and Katsina States to carry out a number of palliative projects.

Speaking on behalf of the NiDCOM Secretary, Dr. Sule Bassi, the chairman stated that Nigerians living abroad, including those affiliated with Zumunta Association USA Inc., play a crucial role in the country’s development through remittances sent home, talent and skill transfer, exposure to the world, and participation in the newest Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI) programs.

“The Zumunta Association USA Inc. is a cultural community organization that is based in the United States of America and is a nonprofit organization.” The organization’s membership is made up of people of Northern Nigerian descent from the FCT, the 19 Northern states, and a few southern states of Nigeria. Its chapters are dispersed among twelve (12) states in the USA.

The Republic of the Philippines, Haiti, and Nigeria have all seen humanitarian operations carried out by Zumunta Association USA Inc. Additionally, it actively supports students attending universities in Nigeria through scholarship programs.

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According to her, “the Association decided to collaborate with NIDCOM for the first time in 2022, as a way of demonstrating their commitment towards achieving the objectives of national development in Nigeria,” while the palliative project presentation was initially completed in 2021.

Earlier, the association has made great progress in supporting impoverished communities through the Palliative project in partnership with NIDCOM, offering grants and collaborating with over 30 NGOs throughout Nigeria, according to the president of Zumunta USA Inc., who was represented by the vice president, Rhoda Embu.

Our prior support has gone toward school improvements, health initiatives, and projects in all 19 northern states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

We are giving out awards in a more organized manner this year. To reach a wider audience, we plan to work in tandem with government efforts.

Through the enrollment of vulnerable communities in Northern Nigeria in the critical health care package initiatives, the grants will be used. According to her, “Our objective is to help lessen the burden of diseases like typhoid, malaria, and mortality among children under five.”