Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for signing into law the Abia State Diaspora Commission bill.
The signing of the Bill makes Abia the first state in Nigeria to set up a diaspora agency for its citizens.
This is coming just over two years after the National Diaspora Commission started operations.
In a commendation letter signed by Dabiri-Erewa and addressed to Ikpeazu, she congratulated the Governor for being a pacesetter.
She wrote: “On behalf of myself, management and staff of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), I wish to commend and congratulate your Excellency on the signing of the Abia State Diaspora Bill into Law, being the very first among the 36 States of the Federation.
“Your Excellency, under your leadership, Abia State has been the first amongst others in taking giant strides on issues concerning Nigerians in the Diaspora. From being the first State in Nigeria to have a Diaspora Commission to other record breaking activities.
“I can assure you Sir that this singular act has already placed Abia State light years ahead of other states and you have invariably set the pace for others to follow.”
The NIDCOM Boss said the signing of the Abia State Diaspora Bill into Law “is indeed historic and the significance of this cannot be overstated as Abia State will in no distant time experience far reaching positive effects from its diaspora”.
She expressed her excitement that a lot of Abia indigenes in the Diaspora are dedicated to improving the Socio-economic, cultural and technological development of the State.
Dabiri-Erewa added: “The signing of the Abia State Diaspora Bill will witness further increase in Diaspora participation in Abia State.”
It will be recalled that Ikpeazu on August 6 signed into law the Abia State Diaspora Commission Bill, being the first state to have such a Commission in Nigeria.