Confab: Nigerians in diaspora want special commission

A delegate at the National Conference, Mr George Anibowel, on Thursday canvassed for the establishment of a Diaspora commission to address challenges faced by Nigerians living in foreign countries.

Anibowel, who is based in the US, is representing all Nigerians in the Diaspora at the conference in Abuja.

The delegate made the request while contributing to President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech at the plenary.

“I am here to canvass and advance issues that are very important to some of us in the Diaspora, including the need for a Diaspora commission,” he said.

The delegate also canvassed for true federalism so that states would have the autonomy to govern and control their respective resources.

He said, “I want to align myself with those calling for true federalism and fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

“This is very important because these are issues that go to the very root of our coexistence.

“Although opinions may differ as to what a true federal system is, true federal system is a system where the states, not the regions or zones, will have power to govern their respective states.

“It is only when we do this that we can effectively consolidate our democracy and bring dividends of democracy closer to the people.”

Anibowel, who is a lawyer, argued when the federating states had autonomy to manage their respective resources, leaving the centre with very limited powers, tension, mutual suspicions and distrust among the federating states would be minimised.

He explained that the practice of true federalism would promote unity amongst the people and the unity would translate to changing the country’s name from Nigeria to United States of Nigeria.