By Folarin Kehinde
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerians living abroad to stop dwelling solely on negative narratives about the country and instead promote its achievements and positive image.
Dabiri-Erewa said although Nigeria faces challenges, its citizens, particularly those in the diaspora, should celebrate the nation’s success stories and the positive impact Nigerians continue to make across the world.
According to a statement on Sunday by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, she spoke during a visit to the Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council in the United Kingdom, Councillor Christopher Adegoke, and the Mayor of Islington, Councillor Rosaline Oguro.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians abroad to continue striving for excellence while serving as worthy ambassadors of the country.
She also called on members of the diaspora to contribute to national development through investments, skills transfer, expertise and global networks, noting that the Federal Government was implementing reforms and infrastructure projects aimed at repositioning the country for sustainable growth.
Meanwhile, Dabiri-Erewa described Adegoke’s emergence as the first person from an ethnic minority background to chair the Nottinghamshire County Council since its establishment in 1889 as a reflection of Nigerians in the diaspora’s excellence, resilience and leadership qualities.
Dabiri-Erewa also congratulated Oguro on her recent inauguration as Mayor of Islington, saying the achievements of Nigerians abroad continue to enhance the country’s image globally.
In her remarks, Oguro thanked the NiDCOM boss for the visit and urged Nigerians to continue projecting the country’s good image wherever they reside.
The NiDCOM chairman also celebrated the academic achievements of two Nigerian medical graduates — Dorcas Akanbi, who graduated from Rostov State Medical University, Russia, with a 4.90/5.00 CGPA, and Dr Monilola Adeshina, who emerged as the valedictorian and overall best graduating student of the Medical Class of 2026 at the Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
She said their accomplishments reflected the brilliance, determination and global competitiveness of Nigerian youths, adding that such feats continued to elevate the country’s image on the international stage.
The NiDCOM boss reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to recognising and engaging outstanding Nigerians in the diaspora whose achievements continue to promote Nigeria’s image globally.
