By Folarin Kehinde
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Yakubu N. Gambo, has raised concerns over the plight of Nigerians who remain in Saudi prisons and detention centres even after completing their jail terms because they are unable to pay outstanding fines.
Gambo disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement signed by NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Violet Nwosu, the ambassador said addressing diaspora issues had remained a priority since he assumed office, noting that Nigeria’s foreign policy places significant emphasis on the welfare of citizens abroad.
Ambassador Gambo said the Mission had directed the various Nigerian groups in Saudi Arabia to come together under one umbrella body to promote unity and enable the Embassy to engage them more effectively.
“The mission has directed the various Nigerian groups to organise themselves under one umbrella body to foster unity and enable the Embassy to engage meaningfully and effectively in addressing any diaspora issue,” he said.
The ambassador also drew attention to the plight of some Nigerians in the Kingdom.
“We are also confronted with challenges involving Nigerians in prisons and detention centres, including those who have completed their jail terms but are unable to return home because of outstanding fines,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gambo said contrary to widespread perceptions, Saudi Arabia is home to many successful Nigerian professionals, including doctors, engineers, teachers, artisans and traders, as well as families that have lived in the Kingdom for decades.
He said the Nigerian Mission had directed the various Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia to unite under one umbrella body to promote cohesion and enable the Embassy to engage more effectively in resolving issues affecting Nigerians.
Speaking at the meeting, Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I.J. Nayaya, described consular services as one of the mission’s biggest challenges, revealing that officials issue dozens of emergency travel certificates, ETCs, daily to Nigerians in detention centres seeking to return home.
Nayaya also commended NiDCOM for its support in resolving the case involving Nigerian national Suleiman Alufa and other interventions on behalf of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa assured the delegation of NiDCOM’s continued collaboration with the Nigerian Mission to strengthen engagement with Nigerians in the Kingdom and improve their welfare.
She commended the Mission’s efforts to unite Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia, describing the initiative as a step towards more effective engagement with the diaspora.
The NiDCOM boss also lamented that the achievements of many Nigerians in Saudi Arabia often go unnoticed.
“We only hear about the bad cases; we don’t hear about Nigerians excelling in Saudi Arabia. Now is the time to start celebrating them,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians residing in Saudi Arabia to register on the Commission’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal to enhance planning and engagement, while also calling for greater support for Nigerian missions handling increasing consular responsibilities.
Both NiDCOM and the Nigerian Mission reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and strengthening diaspora participation in Nigeria’s national development.
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