Nigerian Government Assures Diaspora Of Economic Recovery, Stronger Security

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians living in Angola that efforts are ongoing to strengthen national security, address insecurity and improve the country’s economic outlook.

The assurance was given during an engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Luanda on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

The meeting was coordinated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while the Nigerian delegation to the AU summit was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking to the Nigerian community, Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, acknowledged the security challenges facing the country, noting that some were connected to instability in the Sahel region and its spillover effects across national borders.

Musa said the government was taking comprehensive measures to strengthen Nigeria’s borders and prevent security threats and incursions.

He also said the administration of President Tinubu remained committed to defeating security threats across the country, adding that efforts were being made to improve the manpower, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also assured Nigerians of the improving state of the economy, saying, “Nigeria is growing, the economy is growing and Nigeria is on the path of full recovery.”

Tunji-Ojo also responded to a request by members of the Nigerian community for the establishment of a passport production centre in Angola.

He said he would consider the request, which is aimed at making passport services more accessible to Nigerians living in the country and easing the process of obtaining passport booklets.

Dabiri-Erewa, who coordinated the engagement, commended Nigerians in Angola for their contributions to Nigeria’s development and for projecting a positive image of the country abroad.

She assured the community that the Federal Government values the contributions, concerns and welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora, stressing that their views remain important in shaping policies and interventions affecting them.

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She also urged Nigerians in Angola to remain united, law-abiding and committed to contributing positively to the development of both Nigeria and their host country.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian community, Secretary of the Nigeria Community Association in Angola, Nnaemeka Francis Obi, commended the government delegation for engaging directly with Nigerians in the country.

Obi, however, highlighted some challenges facing Nigerians in Angola, including difficulties accessing passport and consular services, and called for the establishment of a Nigerian passport office in the country.

He also raised concerns about healthcare challenges affecting Nigerians in Angola and appealed for the introduction of direct flights between Nigeria and Angola by a Nigerian airline.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the Federal Government delegation to hear directly from Nigerians in Angola while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Diaspora engagement and addressing issues affecting the welfare of citizens abroad.

NiDCOM said the Federal Government, through relevant agencies, would continue to engage Nigerians across the world and work towards finding responsive solutions to issues affecting their welfare and interests.