Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, 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 recently.
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.
According to the statement released by the Commission, Dabiri-Erewa 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 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 Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) will be handled to provide better relationship between 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.