By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
There is need for injection of professionals and not just political appointees of government into the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, a Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Sunday James has opined.
Such professional may be serving or retired Immigration and Custom Officers, that will square into the demands of the diasporans for assistance and timely intervention.
He was of the view that the commission of late, has been playing political roles than professional interventions, hence the need of a rejigging of the system vis a vis amendment of policies and acts setting it up to be in tandem with global best practices.
Comptroller James, a former Head of Media Nigeria Immigration Service, former Special Adviser on Security to Minister of Interior and an INTERPOL support staff and Pioneer Head of the Nigeria Immigration Service INTERPOL Desk, Scholar on International Affairs and Diplomacy, gave the suggestion in a write up made available to journalists in Lagos.
His words, ” The Nigeria Diaspora Commission is the organ of the Federal Government of Nigeria that deals with issues of liason, mediation and intervention between Nigerians residing abroad, the government of Nigeria and the host countries where they reside.
” It as well serves as front for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and home affairs of the host countries, where the Nigerian in diaspora resides for interventionist purpose, evacuations, resolution of consular and diplomatic issues, adjudication through relevant legal authorities for rights and reparation entitlements of the Nigerian.
” Diasporans under the law of the host country and other benefits as enshrined in the domestic and international conventions or laws,the roles played in recent times if improved upon will go a long way enhancing the confidence of the Nigerian diasporans both in the government and increase returns of foreign remittances from the legitimate earnings and lodgments of the diasporans, thereby increasing Nigeria’s foreign reserve and returns from their earnings.
“:There is need for injection of professionals and not just political appointees of government who may be serving or retired Immigration officers and Custom officers that will square into the demands of the diasporans for assistance and timely interventions in the area of exporting and importing goods,payment of taxable charges,clearances for goods and services with ease,procurement of passports either fresh,renewal,change of data and other ancillary Immigration protocols and services,which may include returns through evacuation,repatriation and exchange of prisoners, extradictions and returns of fugitives in collaboration with the INTERPOL, EFCC, ICPC and the Ministry of Justice of Nigeria.
” The Nigeria Diaspora Commission of late has been playing political roles than professional interventions,hence the need of a rejigging of the system vis a vis amendment of policies and acts setting up the commisdion to tandem with global best practices.
” Nations timely interventions in the plight and sufferings of their citizens abroad shows government commitments,care,love for their citizens”.
According to him, it will not be out of place to have special budgetary allocations for the Diaspora Commission to cover areas like evacuations mission,returns and settlement of Nigerians returned due to war, displacement, repatriation, returnees of prisoners who have successfully completed jail terms for non criminal related issues, victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, senior citizens returning home for settlement among others.
He opined that the facelift if properly carried out, will enhance growth in transfer of technology back home, financial remittances,voting power, and willing contributions to educational, political, medical, scientific and technological growth of Nigeria through the expertise of these Nigerians who must have carved a niche for themselves outside the shore of the country.
The Comptroller asserted that most Nigerians due to favourable, encouraging and sustainable environments and policies fair well are rated the best outside Nigeria due to enabling environments, advising that these project of engendering an enabling environments back home can be done with the intervention and collaboration of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission under a professional, season technocrat and diplomat with relevant knowledge of Immigration law and other directors drawn from the Customs, Immigration Service, Judiciary and police to pave way for ease and quick interventions while working hand to hand with the Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs though autonomous for want of result, void of bottlenecks and politicisation of policies and actionable engagements.
” The West has done it severally through their various ministry of Home affairs and Foreign Missions, that have not been visible and feasible without diplomatic, administrative rows leading to tongue wagging,complains and even abandonment of the citizens when they do much desires it,a friend in need, is a friend indeed.
” With the coming into power and ushering of a new president elect, the Nigeria Diaspora Commission should be rejigged and given full autonomy with the right calibre of professionals heading,it should not be policed rather made to function effectively and timely. This is an opinion not a criticism of the existing structure,government policies and institutions must be subjected to transformations and amendments where and when necessary to avoid becoming moribund and a wasted white elephant project or conduit pipe for wasting huge government resources”, he counselled.
