Tinubu, Tuggar prioritize Diasporans – CG Jidda; Assures NIDO New Jersey delegation on passport printing machines

The new Consul General of Nigeria in New York, United States of America (USA), Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, has given assurance that he will lead from the front, especially in terms of carrying the nationals along in decisions that affect them, specifically as it regards trade, medical and such other missions to the home country.

Ambassador Jidda, who said this during a courtesy call on him by a delegation of the New Jersey Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) stressed that there is need to harness and package Nigerian talents and resources in the Diaspora for the development of the home country.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and the entire administration consider Diasporans as top priority, and that he would work, following that mandate, to ensure that Nigerian businesses and other organizations are supported to grow into mega entities.

The Envoy, to buttress the high regard in which the present administration of President Tinubu holds Diasporans, said that arrangements to install passport printing machines in New York and Atlanta, to ease the pressure on the one in Washington DC and also to make processing of passports stressless for Nigerians, are already in the final stages.

He reassured that the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, was working hard to ensure that between July and August this year, the machines will be installed and in use in New York and Atlanta to serve the nationals in the states covered by the two Consulates.

He also assured that the New York Consulate would work towards putting in place a dedicated photocopier and computer for the use of nationals who come into the Consulate for consular services so that they can be saved the stress of crossing the street to go and patronize commercial business centers outside Nigeria House.

Ambassador Jidda, who expressed delight at welcoming the delegation, led by the President of NIDO New Jersey, Dr. Adeola Popoola, restated his strong willingness to work with the Diaspora community to develop the country, stressing that he would be ready to be part of trade, medical or other such missions to the country and would ensure that such delegations have access to the highest levels of government whenever they are in Nigeria.

He pointed out that he would also facilitate robust engagement between the Diaspora community and relevant agencies of government, noting however, that the Diasporans have major roles to play, especially in terms of organizing themselves properly and working in unity.

The Consul General, who has since resumption of duty in New York held a virtual introductory Town Hall meeting with Nigerians in the states under his jurisdiction, also gave assurance to the New Jersey delegation that soon he would begin visiting and holding physical Town Hall meetings to hear from nationals their concerns, and also communicate government’s policies and programs to them where they reside.

The Consul General had some officials of the Consulate with him during the visit, including Ambassador Franklin Abiola Ogunyemi, in charge of Trade and Investment, Rufai Wada Baba and Odirionyenaibeya Bartholomew Ajaereh Consul, Immigration and Community Relations.

In his address, Dr. Popoola said the delegation was in Nigeria House to officially welcome the Consul General to New York and also to inform him of the programs of the Chapter which he would be expected to attend, including the Flag Raising ceremony to celebrate the country’s independence.

Some other members of the NIDO delegation included the National President of Nigerian America Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), Dr. Nelson Aluya, the Vice President, NIDO New Jersey, Prince Anozie Ogenyi, the Financial Secretary, Mr. Ladi Salami, the Public Relations Officer, Dr. Femi Adegbomire, Founder of Lord & Nike, Olanike Awoleye and some NIDO Elders, Professor Stella Okereke, Albert Ukaigwe and Mrs. Noyo Edem.