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Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday, issued a warning to Nigerians against relocating to Northern Cyprus due to the country’s treatment of Nigerians in violation of their human rights.
She also emphasized that the country, which is solely recognized by Turkiye, lacked effective legal frameworks that would have allowed the Federal Government to seek retribution for the deaths of several Nigerian students in the de facto state.
Dabiri-Erewa made this statement at the 48th State House Ministerial Media Briefing, which was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and hosted by the Presidential Communications Team.
Northern Cuprus, a de facto state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus, is officially known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Recognised only by Turkiye, Northern Cyprus is largely considered by the United Nations and the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.
Dabiri-Erewa who noted that several Nigerians are being maltreated and killed in the region said, “Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We can’t do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily.”
She added that every Nigerian stranded in Ukraine at the start of the conflict returned home safely.
Students psychologically affected by the conflict underwent proper counselling before continuing their education either online or onsite by enrolling into local Universities to continue their programmes, according to the NIDCOM Chief.
Dabiri-Erewa also urged Nigerians in Diaspora not to be afraid to invest in the country because of insecurity.
While admitting that the country’s insecurity challenge is a source of concern, she said it is only temporary because of stiff measures currently employed by the Federal Government to tackle the situation.
The NIDCOM DG said the commission recorded over $20 billion in diaspora remittances for 2021.
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