Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has congratulated Abia for being the first state to pass a bill to establish a diaspora commission.

This is contained in a statement issued  by Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media and Public Relations of NIDCOM.

The bill was passed last Tuesday.

Dabiri-Erewa said that Abia  made history  with the passage of a bill for establishment of the commission.

She expressed appreciation to  Abia State House of Assembly for passing the bill, and described the state Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu as diaspora-friendly.

She also lauded Dr Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters and Special Duties, for diligence and consistency in ensuring the passage of the bill.

She called on other states to emulate  Abia,  hoping that the diaspora commission would provide a  platform to tap into enormous resources in Abia  indigenes in the diaspora for the development of the state.

The bill known as “Abians in Diaspora Commission and Other Matters Bill, was sponsored by Dr Mike Ukoha, Minority Whip/Member representing Arochukwu  Constituency.

The bill, among others, seeks to establish the Abians in Diaspora Commission in order to monitor the welfare of Abia indigenes abroad.

The bill is also expected to encourage Abia indigenes in the diaspora in investments and development opportunities in Abia and Nigeria in general.