The House of Representatives committee on Diaspora has vowed not appropriate funds to Nigeria National Volunteer Service (NNVS) for the celebration of this year's Diaspora Day.
The chairman of the committee, Rep. Rita Ojir made this known when a delegation of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) paid Nigerians in Diaspora Advisory Board jointly paid her a courtesy visit in her office in National Assembly complex on Monday.
Mrs Ojir said the committee will not approve the N105million proposed for the 2017 appropriation presented by NNVS for the hosting of the Diaspora Day.
Rep Ojir further reiterated the committee's earlier decision of not appropriating any funds for the celebration of of diaspora day until NNVS furnish it with details on how they spent the N59million that was initially appropriated by the National Assembly for same purpose in the year 2016.
According to the chairman of Diaspora committee, "I have summoned to give me details of the expenditure which they are yet to do that. I am going to stepdown the diaspora day Until the issues are resolved;
"If NNVS fail to do that we will call for investigation but as soon as that is cleared we will communicate to you", she added.
Ojir clarified.
Also Ojir assured them of the Diaspora bond which she said is a reality because she is working tooth and nail with the Diaspora Bond Office to ensure that Nigerians abroad benefit from the trade.
Acoording to her, "let me assure you all that we have agreed that NIDO will be the ones to market the bonds", Ojir stated.
The leader of the delegation Mr. Kenneth Gbandi who also doubles as chairman Nigerians in Daispora Organization Europe chapter thanked the chairman of the Diaspora committee for doing so much for Nigerians living abroad and pledged to support her at all times.
According to Mr. Gbandi, "our been here today is more of a thank you visit for the good work you have been doing. We have been able to gather Nigerians from different expertise to be part of this advisory board which will come up with ideas that can develop our dear nation", he said.
Another member of the delegation Dr. John George a formal chairman of NIDO also said he appreciates all the efforts been made by Mrs Ojir and her committee in reviving NIDO. She also enjoined the chairman to sustain some of the projects embarked upon by past chairmen of NIDO like the "Global Database for Nigerians Abroad" which he said he started during his reign.
"I believe that Nigerians in Diaspora now are in for a good job, the rebirth of Diaspora was after your visit in Europe. NIDO Europe as its stands have the backing of your committee", George said.
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