By Matthew Denis with agency report
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have initiated a renewed partnership to combat fraud involving Nigerians abroad and promoting the image of the country positively.
This was disclosed when the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede and his management team paid a courtesy call to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM in Abuja yesterday.
Speaking, Abike Dabiri noted that the mere mention of the EFCC’s name has been effective in deterring fraudulent activities, thereby safeguarding the image of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The discussions also focused on critical issues affecting Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly concerning remittances and the overall image of the nation’s abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed her gratitude to EFCC and its management for their swift and effective resolution of cases referred by NiDCOM.
She listed some of the challenges faced by NiDCOM, highlighting the pressing issue of office accommodation, and requested EFCC’s assistance in addressing the matter.
The NiDCOM Chairman also outlined several key initiatives undertaken by the Commission, including the National Diaspora Policy, Diaspora Data Mapping, the Diaspora Lecture Series, the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), Medical Missions by Diasporans, Returnees Intervention Programs, and the Badagry Door of Return among others.
These initiatives, she emphasized, are crucial in strengthening the ties between Nigeria and its Diaspora community.
Responding, Olukoyede expressed his appreciation for NiDCOM’s efforts and assured that EFCC would take immediate steps to resolve the accommodation issue faced by the Commission.
He noted with concern the challenges faced by some Nigerians abroad, particularly the stigma attached to holders of Nigerian passport, saying NiDCOM work is gradually changing the narrative.
Olukoyede disclosed that a lot of stashed and stolen funds from Nigeria were invested in assets across the world, adding that the Commission is working round the clock to recover such funds and plough it back into the nation’s economy for national development.
The EFCC Boss assured the Commission of his readiness to continue to partner with it in its activities and programmes geared towards revamping the bad image some bad citizens have created about Nigeria.
He stressed on the shared mandate of both Commissions aimed at encouraging Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora, to be exemplary ambassadors of their country.
Meanwhile, in a bid to tackle immigration fraud and its accompanying reputational damage it is causing Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set up an Immigration Fraud Section in some of its Commands across the country.
Olukoyede disclosed that the Section was established barely two weeks ago.
He noted that the Commission was motivated to set it up as a result of the stream of fraud taking place on immigration matters in the country and the need to protect Nigerians from the antics of immigration fraudsters.
“Apart from what we have done in the foreign exchange market, two weeks ago we set up an Immigration Fraud Section. They are in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and in all our zonal Commands where we have embassies because we have seen quite a lot of fraud in that area. They have scammed people a lot, so we want to devote our attention and resources to that area to ensure that Nigerians and diplomatic missions in Nigerian would not be victims of visa and immigration scam again,” he said.