NiDCOM Disowns ‘Door of Return Nigeria 2020
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has issued a disclaimer on a proposed program tagged “Door of Return Nigeria- 2020”
In a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM advised the public to avoid falling victims of all pranks of fraudsters adding that the NiDCOM logo and other logos do not have the consent of the owners.
According to Mr Balogun, “The attention of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has been drawn to a purported ‘Door of Return 2020 program in Nigeria’ by some agents.
“It must be stated categorically here that the said program does not have the consent of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Lagos State Government or Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Lagos State Government, the African Door of Return Experience and the African Renaissance Foundation have been organizing the Door of Return in Badagry, Lagos for the past three years since 2017.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 2019 edition took place in October 15th to 20th 2019, and the program was held in Badagry, Lagos with the theme: A PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHERLAND, THE THIRD COMING with participants from across the globe.
“The policy document in circulation is not from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission @nidcom_gov, Neither the Commission nor any person acting on behalf of NIDCOM is responsible for the circulation.
“The suspicious people behind it are playing on the minds of tourists, based on the recent successful program in Ghana this December.
“While we commend Ghana for having been reaching out to the historic African Diaspora in the last thirteen years and has issued citizenship to over 100 Americans, there is no competition or comparison whatsoever.
“Nigeria and other African countries will continue to encourage and support each other and do all we can to motivate Africans in Diaspora, who are now more determined, to reconnect with Africa, the motherland.
“We request all not to fall for pranks of fraudsters such as in the said advert.
“The NidCom logo and other logos do not have the consent of the owners. Such an event cannot take place without the involvement of the State and Federal Governments of Nigeria.
Anietie Udobit