…. Decries killing of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The federal government has dismissed the fears of some Nigerians in the diaspora that their business interests in the country may be jeopardise by the prevailing security situation, saying that such fears are misplaced as Nigeria is safe and secured.
The government position was made public by the Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM) Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday when she appeared on the Weekly Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa who acknowledged that there is insecurity in some parts of the country, however, noted that it is a temporary setback even as she said that the federal government was doing all that is necessary to resolve the situation.
She argued that the Nigerian government has been on top of the matter as the country’s security forces have in recent times been bombarding terrorists enclaves in the determined attempt to end their menace, expressing confidence that whoever invests in the country among the diasporans will have return for their investments.
Said she: “Nigerians in the diaspora have been coming home on their own to invest in Nigeria. Many are doing very well and many more have been approaching the Commission on the need to come back to the country to invest. Many are doing so without being forced to do that. Nigerians who have returned to invest here are doing amazing things”.
She noted with delight that Nigerians in the diaspora are making appreciable remittance to the country.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed to Nigerians to desist from making any comments capable of tarnishing the image of the country.
She, however, said that despite the negative activities of few persons, a good number of Nigerians are doing great outside the country.
Meanwhile, the NiDCOM Chairperson, who gave an update on the Commission’s activities at the media briefing, however regretted that some Nigerians are being killed on a daily basis in Northern Cyprus with nobody able to intervene because of the political situation in the European enclave.
According to her: “there was little that could be done diplomatically to resolve the situation of Nigerians there because Northern Cyprus is not recognized by the international community as a country except by Turkey”
Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that about 20 Nigerian students have been killed in Northern Cyprus, though students have been warned to stay away from Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
It is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus and only recognised by Turkey. It is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.
Dabiri-Erewa insists that there was little that could be done diplomatically to resolve the situation of Nigerians there because Northern Cyprus is not recognized by the international community as a country except by Turkey.
She said that the Nigerian government has made it clear that it would not allow any Nigerian to suffer for a crime he did not commit in foreign countries.
