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1.5m Nigerians in Italy needs a passport, unable to return home or gain employment – NIDOE
Mr George Omo-Iduhon, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), Italy Chapter, said more than 1.5 million registered Nigerians urgently needed the Nigerian passport.
Omo-Iduhon stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday while reflecting on the activities of NIDOE in Europe.
NAN reports that NIDOE is the European arm of a global Nigerian diaspora network, established in the year 2000 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
NIDOE has its headquarters in London, where it serves 21 regional chapters.
Omo-Iduhon said that out of about three million Nigerians registered in Italy, 1.5 million of them needed passports, which had prevented them from returning home or getting jobs.
“One of the problems we are facing as Nigerians living in Italy is an acute shortage of Nigerian passports. Most times, we go to the embassy to address the problem.
“What we normally get as a response is the shortage of booklets and backlogs. The government should help to address this problem because Italy serves as the gateway to other countries in Europe, especially Nigerians.
“Most Nigerians prefer to have their political asylum in Italy. In Italy, we have more Nigerians than we have in other European countries; the registered Nigerians according to the database are three million aside from the undocumented ones.
“About 1.5 million Nigerians in Italy don’t have passports, even some of those that have been accepted by the Italian government has not been issued passports which makes it difficult for them to work,” he said.
The chairman said that the supply of 500 booklets of passports to the Nigerian embassy in Italy was grossly inadequate to serve the number of the citizens that needed it.
“The number of booklets allocated to the embassy in Italy, which is 500 is insignificant to the number of applicants; even giving Italy 20,000 booklets in a month may not go round.
“Using the same sharing formula for all the countries in Europe cannot work in Italy where we have more Nigerian residents. We cannot be compared with Sweden with the fewer number of Nigerians residents.
“We are appealing to the relevant government agencies and our amiable Minister for Internal Affairs, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, to help us address this issue.
“The Chairman of NIDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri, has tried for us as well,” he said.
Omo-Iduhon said that the body had a change of leadership in July 2021, after an election, adding that the new administration was poised to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
“We just had our elections in July this year, the first thing we have set out as a team is to improve the welfare of Nigerians in Italy. This is of paramount interest to us.
“We are also liaising with the Nigerian embassy in Italy to do the right thing at the right time and importantly, our mandate in bringing investors from Italy to Nigeria.
“We need to grow the economy of Nigeria, a mission at which we are established by former President Obasanjo to assist in the development drive,” he added.
NIDOE is recognised as the official platform through which individual Nigerians in diaspora, their community, organisation and corporate bodies can channel their development efforts to Nigeria.
The organisation partners with the Nigerian community, the professional organisation as well as public and private businesses in focused areas such as Foreign Direct Investment, professional networking, stakeholders advocacy, medical missions, educational support and skill transfer to Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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