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Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NiDCOM) has applauded the Zumunta Association USA Inc. for
giving out Palliatives to six Northern states to cater to their needs.
The Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM gave the applause through the Secretary to the
Commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, at the Third Phase of the Zumunta
Associatio USA Inc., Palliative Awards Presentation in Abuja.
The beneficiary States are Nasarawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Yobe and
Kaduna with each collecting N700,000 each, except Kaduna that got
N500,000.
Dabiri-Erewa said that the beneficiaries of the donation should count
themselves fortunate, while urging them to appreciate the sacrifices of
well-meaning Nigerians in the Diaspora to bring relief to crucial areas
of concern to the Arewa community, and by extension, Nigeria.
The NIDCOM boss implored the recipients to use the funds judiciously and
for its intended purposes.
She recalled the budding but strong partnership with the socio-cultural
group since 2022, in alignment with the Federal Government’s agenda
towards strategic Diaspora engagement through the Commission.
She commended the group and urged other groups to do same to their
respective communities and states.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State who was a one-time President
of Zumunta Association USA Inc. , stated that positive growth and
development in Nigeria can stem from putting aside religious, ethnic,
political and social differences to achieve a common goal for the
country.
Speaking through the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Special duties,
Humanitarian affairs and NGOs, Dr Margaret Elayo, he expressed that no
country can achieve anything in fear and hatred but in peace and
harmony.
Earlier, Senator Victor Umeh, the Chairman, Senate Committee on
Diaspora, NGOs and Civil Societies, in his address, as presented by his
Deputy Chairman, Sen. Anthony Yaro Sijako, assured the Diaspora
Community that the Federal Government is more committed to ensuring that
every Nigerian in the Diaspora is treated with respect and dignity by
their host countries.
According to him, the Senate has established a liaison office where
issues related to Diaspora matters and the Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NiDCOM) will be handled to provide better relationship
between the Government and Nigerians abroad.
Amb. Rabiu Dagari, the Director-General, Directorate of Technical
Cooperation in Africa, (DTCA), extolled the group for its brotherliness
despite the current political and economic unrest to give back to the
country.
Dagari pointed out that the Zumunta Association USA, has been known to
set the pace in promoting unity, diversity and progress among
socio-cultural groups in the Diaspora.
In the same vein, the Minister of State, FCT, Mariga Mahmoud,
represented by Director Youth, Princess Asabe Umar, recognised the
need to join hands with the Diaspora to build Nigeria back to greatness
and congratulated the Association for putting the event together for the
third time.
Welcoming guests, Mr. Bitrus Sunday, President of the Association,
through his Vice, Mrs. Rhoda Embu, stated that the organisation has made
key strides in helping the less privileged communities, while
maintaining a non-partisan, non-religious but a pro-Arewa mode of
operation.
Sunday highlighted that the group has adopted a more structured
approach to the awards, teaming with government initiatives targeting
more people.
He thanked both public and private stakeholders, especially NiDCOM for
their unrelenting support in reconnecting with homeland.
The Zumunta Association USA Inc Palliative Awards is an annual project
that started in 2021. The NGO since its inception in 1991, New York, USA
has touched the lives of more than 5,000 students through scholarship
programmes and other projects.
