The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says collaboration with the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commision’s (NiDCOM) on issues of migration will accelerate the country’s development.
Ms Dimauche Sharon, the new Chief of Mission for IOM to Nigeria, said this on Tuesday during a curtesy visit to Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer in Abuja.
Sharon lauded the achievements of the commission while emphasing on the creation of the State Focal Point as apt in addressing both migration and remittances challenges.
She commended Dabiri-Erewas’ leadership and the work that she had done to establish leadership in NiDCOM since its inception.
“From our side as IOM, we have been honoured and privileged to work with you and your team.
“There are a number of areas that we have worked on, which we would like to see how we can build.
“What brings me here is to be able to effectively offer support. We have seen migration as part of human history.
“We cannot live without migration. But how it happens is very critical. It has to happen in a safe, regular and responsible manner,” she said.
According to the IOM boss, Nigerians migrants are responsible for the bulk of diaspora remittances to Africa.
“When I look at the report of 2022, in terms of remittances to this region, we have about a 52.9 billion dollars, and Nigeria contributes 38 per cent of that.
“We have seen an increment by 3.3 per cent, with Nigeria having about 20 billion dollars,” she said.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa expressed gratitude to the IOM chief for her support to Nigerians, while assuring her of NiDCOM’s commitment to continue to working with the organisation.
She said that NiDCOM was committed to ensuring that Nigerians who intend to migrate do so in a safe and responsible manner,
“As you said, migration has to be done in a safe, orderly way. So how can we reduce irregular migration?
“It is more terrible on the West African continent, because of the free movement of persons,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss said that capacity building and creating awareness for illegal and legal migration were necessary steps to be taken to ensure that migration becomes safer and more regulated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)