'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has issued a strong warning against the spread of hate speech and ethnic profiling by Nigerians abroad. This follows the emergence of inflammatory comments from an unidentifiable group that referred to themselves as "Igbos in Diaspora," sparking concerns over divisive rhetoric within the Nigerian diaspora community.
In a press statement signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM expressed concern over the allegations against the Commission's Chairperson, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for her supposedly delayed response to hate speech incidents involving two individuals, Kingsley Ugiagbe in Austria and Amaka in Canada.
Swift Response in Austria
According to the statement, NIDCOM clarified that the situation involving Kingsley Ugiagbe, who made derogatory comments about the Igbo people in Austria, was promptly handled by the Edo community in Austria. The community denounced Ugiagbe's remarks, and the accused later expressed remorse and apologized for his statements. NIDCOM was not directly petitioned by Nigerians in Austria, as the matter was resolved amicably by the Edo diaspora group.
“We commend the Edo group in Austria for their swift and mature leadership in addressing the issue,” the statement read. “Kingsley Ugiagbe showed remorse, and the situation did not escalate, which is a lesson in how such incidents should be managed.”
A Different Case in Canada
The situation in Canada, however, took a different turn. Amaka, a Nigerian national, was accused of making hate speech, and instead of showing regret, she and her group reportedly doubled down on their comments. Nigerian groups in Canada raised alarms, sending several petitions to NIDCOM, the Nigerian House of Representatives, and Canadian authorities.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora led by Hon. Chinedu Okere, took official action to address the concerns raised by Nigerian groups. The Commission emphasized that Amaka is currently on bail with certain restrictions and urged restraint in public discussions about her case to avoid negative repercussions.
Commitment to Diaspora Welfare
NIDCOM used the opportunity to remind Nigerians of its continued dedication to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad. The Commission has been involved in numerous interventions for Nigerians facing challenges in countries like Libya, Oman, Lebanon, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Ukraine. Recent efforts include the rescue of trafficked Nigerian girls in Ghana and the safe return of two Nigerians from Bosnia.
Among notable cases were Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Ibrahim, who were saved from death row in Saudi Arabia, and a woman with triplets rescued from Oman. NIDCOM also continues to work with the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Diaspora to address the plight of Nigerians in prisons, particularly in Ethiopia.
Call for Unity
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged all Nigerians abroad to refrain from ethnic profiling and divisive rhetoric, encouraging them to act as good ambassadors of Nigeria. She reiterated that crime or poor behavior should never be attributed to ethnicity.
“Nigerians in diaspora must preach unity and remember that we are all identified by the same green passport,” she said. “We encourage Nigerians abroad to continue to uphold the image of our country and avoid behaviors that could tarnish the nation’s reputation.”
The statement concluded with a call for mutual respect and responsibility, encouraging Nigerians to contribute positively to their host communities while promoting the values of unity and harmony.
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