The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has cautioned all government ministries, agencies, embassies, and high commissions, as well as diaspora groups, to beware of phoney groups with sinister and political ulterior motives, parading as authentic associations.
A statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun yesterday in Abuja specifically mentioned a group, Nigeria Diaspora Forum (NDF) which he said claimed it had established an office in Abuja for the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.
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He alleged that the so-called forum, “an arm of Labour Party (LP), masquerading as a diaspora group, is not even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
Balogun said: “We are aware that all registered political parties including the ruling party, have diaspora chapters and support groups outside the country and do work to promote and champion their party ideals.
“It is equally sinister that an unregistered body with the CAC will fraudulently and boldly announce the setting up of an office to oversee the welfare of Nigerians in diaspora in Abuja.
“This is no doubt an attempt to fraudulently hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public, ministries, departments and agencies, embassies, high commissions as well as state and local governments.
“We hereby advise all government agencies at both the federal and state levels as well as the diplomatic community to always double-check with NIDCOM the status of such groups as NIDCOM has a data base of all registered diaspora groups.”
NIDCOM also reminded that all the states have diaspora focal persons who are readily available to handle issues relating to their diaspora.
“NIDCOM is the only commission mandated by an act of the parliament to oversee the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora, in the last four years.
“It has been, and will continue to fulfil its mandate, while also working with genuine Nigerian diaspora groups, associations and individuals,” the statement added.