Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, to explain what the government is doing concerning the maltreatment of Nigerians abroad.
The Minister will answer questions from the House Committee on Diaspora, headed by Ms Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
According to the lawmaker, Mr Onyeama and his ministry are not doing enough to get Nigerians respected in their various places of abode abroad, especially in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
She said the Minister owes the nation an explanation on what is happening to citizens of the country in the diaspora and that the platform would provide such opportunity to say steps that have been taken to address the issue.
“The key issue right now is the UAE. We have invited the Minister of Foreign affairs to come and tell us what is happening to Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially in the UAE.
“When we get this update, we will know the way forward from there,” Ms Akande-Sadipe told reporters over the weekend during the commissioning of a sports and educational facility in Awe town, Oyo State.
The reps member, who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, promised Nigerians that the House will not sweep the matter under the carpet, but pursue it to a meaningful end.
“In spite of what is happening, I assure you that this matter will not end on the table of hearings alone. We will ensure something is done. You recall the matter of Temitope Ariwolo and other Nigerian girls, returned to the country. We played a huge part in that, success,” she said.
Speaking on the facility initiated by a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Seyi Adisa, Ms Akande-Sadipe noted that it was evidence that Nigerians could do a lot to support the government.
