Nigerian Senate Promises Tougher, Faster, More Interventionist Approach to Plight of Nigerians Abroad.
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Senate Committee on Diaspora has promised a tougher, faster, and more interventionist approach to the plight of Nigerians abroad. The chairman of the committee, Senator Aniekan Bassey disclosed this on Tuesday, December 2, shortly after the committee’s inaugural meeting after his appointment as the chairman in July.
In a chat with newsmen, Sen. Dr. Bassey said his committee will work towards changing the perception of some individuals that their duty is only about travelling or meeting with Nigerians abroad, saying that their work goes beyond that.
“Many people think the diaspora committee is just about traveling or meeting Nigerians abroad,” he said, “But our mandate is bigger, deeper, and more legislative.”
With NIDCOM as its primary agency, an advocacy body that follows the President on international engagements, Senator Bassey noted that the Committee’s core power lies in lawmaking that supports NGOs, Civil Societies and the millions of Nigerians living abroad.
He recalled moving a motion earlier in the year on protecting Nigerians from trafficking, slavery, and human rights abuses in Libya, a motion later expanded to address xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Ghana, and other countries with troubling records of violence against Nigerians.
Senator Bassey disclosed that the Senate had already mandated a Joint Committee on Diaspora, Foreign Affairs, Judiciary & Human Rights, and Special Duties to review his motion and design a coordinated policy response.
“As lead Chairman, I must now sit with the three chairmen of the partnering committees to draft our engagement template,” he said. Work begins in two weeks.
The Senate Chairman on Diaspora announced that the Senate will begin advocacy missions to selected countries at least one per continent to gather firsthand information on the experiences, challenges, and legal ordeals of Nigerians abroad.
“We must be physically present,” he declared. We need to know which Nigerians broke the laws of those countries, and which ones are victims of malice, discrimination, or unfair business disputes.”
He said the Senate will open diplomatic channels, meet foreign legislators, and intervene in cases of Nigerians who are stranded, jailed, or wrongfully profiled.
“Until the final report is out, nothing is concluded,” he insisted.
“And even if the Senate approves diaspora voting, it must still get the support of two-thirds of all 36 state assemblies. Without that, it dies.”
Sen. Abbas revealed that the committee plans to visit at least one country per continent to interact with Nigerians and gather feedback on how to improve their welfare,” Senator Bassey told newsmen.
On diaspora voting, Bassey said, it is a constitutional matter. “The issue of diaspora voting is a constitutional matter that requires the approval of two-thirds of the lawmakers in the National Assembly,” he stated.
The lawmaker insisted the committee would collaborate with other relevant Senate committees to assist Nigerians in need, including those stranded or jailed in foreign countries. Its mandate includes providing support such as repatriation and aid for victims of trafficking and other related issues.
When pressed further on the widespread suffering of Nigerians abroad he said,
“Nigerians should be reassured. We are coming for them. If they are stranded, if they are jailed, we will intervene. We will not abandon them
