The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in collaboration with the Cross River State government, has inaugurated the Cross River State Diaspora Commission, CRIDCOM, office in Calabar, Southern Nigeria.
The inauguration was the highlight of a two-day working visit of the NiDCOM Chairman to Cross River State.
The CRIDCOM office is a pivotal milestone in the state’s strategy to engage its diaspora community for growth and development.
Before the inauguration, Dr. Dabiri-Erewa held a meeting with the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, the Chairman of CRIDCOM, Otu Okor, and some State Commissioners.
Governor Otu lauded Dr. Dabiri-Erewa for her trailblazing efforts in fostering stronger connections between Nigeria and its diaspora.
He emphasised that “her leadership has successfully helped shift negative perceptions about Nigerians abroad and credited her impressive track record for inspiring the swift establishment of the Cross River State Diaspora Commission Office.”
“Before your leadership, there was a gap between Nigeria and other nations. Now, that narrative has transformed,” the Governor said.
Dr. Dabiri-Erewa commended Cross River for becoming the first state in Nigeria to establish a state-level Diaspora Commission building, calling it a remarkable and historic achievement.
She applauded Governor Otu’s visionary leadership and expressed her enthusiasm for the state’s active engagement in diaspora matters.
She commended the governor for appointing Otu Okor, a pioneer staff member of NiDCOM to head the CRIDCOM office.