NIDCOM CAUTIONS MDAS, EMBASSIES ON FAKE DIASPORA GROUPS. (PHOTO).

NIDCOM cautions MDAs, embassies on fake diaspora groups

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has warned Ministries, Agencies, Embassies and other Diaspora groups to beware of fake diaspora groups with ulterior motives.

A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun identified a group known as Nigeria Diaspora Forum, (NDF) claiming to have be working to improve welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora with an office in Abuja as one of such phoney groups.

According to the statement the said NDF which is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission is an arm of Labour Party, masquerading as a diaspora group.

The statement said NIDCOM is aware that all registered Political parties including the ruling party, APC, PDP, SDP, NNPP, LP and others have diaspora chapters and support groups outside the country and do work to promote and champion their party ideals.

The statement also queried why an unregistered body with the Corporate Affairs Commission will fraudulently and boldly announce the setting up office to oversee the welfare of Nigerians in Diaspora in Abuja.

‘’This is no doubt an attempt to fraudulently hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public, ministries, departments and agencies, embassies, high commissions as well as state and local governments.’’

‘’We hereby advise all government agencies at both the federal and state levels as well as the diplomatic community to always double check with NIDCOM the status of such groups as NIDCOM has a data base of all registered diaspora groups’’, the statement said.

‘’ NIDCOM is using this opportunity to also remind all that States have diaspora focal persons who are readily available to handle issues relating to their diaspora’’

The statement maintained that NIDCOM is backed by the Nigeria law to oversee the welfare of Nigerian in the diaspora.

‘’NIDCOM is the only Commission mandated by an act of the Parliament to oversee the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora in the last four years’’

‘’It has been and will continue to fulfill its mandate while also working with genuine Nigerian diaspora groups, associations and individuals’’, the statement concluded.