The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola says the Nigerian Passport is the strongest instrument of Sovereignty, Nationality and Citizenship .
The Minister stated this when he received the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Management Staff of the Commission in Abuja.
Mr Aregbesola explained that the Ministry of Interior has introduced sweeping reforms as it concern passport application and issuance. He stressed that a regime of not more than 72 Hours Express Passort Processing is underway outside Nigerian Missions. According to the Minister, “whoever holds a Nigerian Passport is a bonifade Citizen with dignity and respect””.
On Managed Migration, the Interior Minister promised to work with strategic agencies to see that Migration is profitable to the migrant and to the country of stay and homeland. The Minister also applauded NIDCOM for her giant strides so far describing the Commission as, “a veritable tool for strong and worthy engagement with the Nigerian Diaspora.”
On her part, the Chairman/CEO NIDCOM Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa commeded the Minister’s effort in making the passport application and issuance seamless as well as the Ten Year Validity period as first of its kind in Nigeria. The NIDCOM Boss said, “this is cheering news for Nigerians in the Diaspora, a situation hitherto has hampered movement and job loss”. She stressed that it will also facilitate the reconnection process especially for African Americans whose DNA have roots with Nigeria.
The NIDCOM Boss also spotlighted on some engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora to include: National Diaspora Day Celebrations, Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, Quarterly Diaspora Lecture Series, among others.