By DAPO FALADE
A Yoruba group, Egbe Omo Oduduwa Austria, has condemned, and described as unjustifiable, a recent call for the scrapping of the Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Mr Lekan Ekundayo, the coordinator of the Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants (COD) had reportedly issued a statement, recently, calling for either the scrapping or restructuring of NIDCOM.
He was said to have had accused the commission of promoting and spoon-feeding Nigerians in Diaspora who he alleged are causing confusion and sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria.
He was quoted to have said: “Hate campaigns (are ongoing because) some disgruntled elements abroad (are) endorsing negative publicity about Nigeria.”
However, a leader of Egbe Omo Oduduwa Austria, Engineer Oluyemi Ogundele, condemned the statement by Mr Ekundayo, saying neither COD nor its coordinator are in the best position make such a recommendation to the Federal Government.
Ogundele, in a statement issued from Vienna Austria, on Friday, Ogundele said, while it is true that there are many unscrupulous Nigerians in the Diaspora who does not believe in the country, he disagree with the coordinator in asking for the scrapping of NIDCOM.
“This vocal minority does not wish Nigeria well and are promoting terrorism and hatred among Nigerians, both home and in the Diaspora,” he said.
Ogundele said the bad Nigerian elements in the Diaspora are not been promoted by NIDCOM, adding that it is not the duty of the commission to arrest or prosecute such individuals.
“In fact, most of them are not even carrying the green Nigeria passport. They are just taking advantage of freedom of speech in their countries of resident.
“If at all there is need for such intervention, that falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not that of NIDCOM,” he said.
The Egbe Omo Oduduwa chieftain further said he believes that most Nigerians abroad are fond of comparing Nigeria with their host countries.
“Nigeria, like every other country, has her own problem. So, we should stop seeing Nigeria as the worse country in the whole world. Who could ever imagine that USA could suffer such a big setback with their democracy?
“It is a big surprise that such statement could come from a Yoruba organisation since this crime is not limited to the Yoruba people alone. It is being committed by many Nigerians from different tribal and cultural background,” he added.
Ogundele said he hopes that the fact that the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM being a Yoruba lady has nothing to do with the statement by the COD coordinator.
He however thanked and appreciated all Diaspora organisations promoting the good name and image of Nigeria in the Diaspora and particularly praised NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Honourable Abike Dabiri Erewa, for the good job which he said she and the commission are doing.
In a related development, the Association of Nigerian Professionals in the Americas (ANPA) also faulted COD as the group, in another statement by Engineer Gbenga Omoniya, said: NIDCOM is a veritable vehicle for Nigeria’s economic growth and national unity.”
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