The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians living in Angola that the country’s economy is steadily recovering while efforts are being intensified to tackle insecurity and strengthen national security.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, rtd, gave the assurance during an engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Luanda, Angola, held on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, AU.
According to a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the engagement was coordinated by the Chairman of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Nigeria’s delegation to the AU summit was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu.
While addressing the community, Musa acknowledged the security challenges confronting Nigeria, noting that some were linked to instability in the Sahel, with their effects spilling across national borders.
He assured the Nigerians that the Federal Government was taking comprehensive measures to strengthen the nation’s borders and prevent security threats and incursions.
The Minister said the Tinubu administration remained committed to defeating security threats across the country, adding that measures were being implemented to increase the manpower, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Also speaking, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured Nigerians in Angola that the country was on a recovery path, declaring: “Nigeria is growing, the economy is growing and Nigeria is on the path of full recovery.”
On the community’s request for a Nigerian passport production centre in Angola, Tunji-Ojo said he would consider the proposal to ease access to passport booklets and consular services for Nigerians resident in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa, who coordinated the engagement, commended Nigerians in Angola for their contributions to Nigeria’s development and their efforts to project a positive image of the country abroad.
She assured them that the Federal Government valued the contributions, concerns and welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora, stressing that their voices remained important in shaping policies and interventions affecting them.
The NiDCOM Chairman also urged Nigerians in Angola to remain united, law-abiding and committed to contributing positively to the development of Nigeria and their host country.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian community, Secretary of the Nigeria Community Association in Angola, Nnaemeka Francis Obi, commended the engagement but highlighted some of the challenges confronting Nigerians in the country.
Obi called for the establishment of a Nigerian passport office in Angola, citing difficulties in accessing passport and consular services as a major concern for members of the community.
He also raised concerns over healthcare challenges facing Nigerians in Angola and appealed for greater attention to their welfare.
The engagement provided an avenue for the Federal Government delegation to receive first-hand feedback from Nigerians in Angola and reaffirm its commitment to deepening Diaspora engagement and addressing issues affecting Nigerians abroad.
NiDCOM reiterated that the Federal Government, through relevant agencies, would continue to engage Nigerians across the globe and pursue responsive solutions to issues affecting their welfare and interests.
