The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa has congratulated Abia State lawmakers for being the first state to pass a bill to establish a diaspora commission.

Her congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued by Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media and Public Relations of NIDCOM on Tuesday.

The bill was passed last Tuesday.

Dabiri-Erewa in the statement, said that Abia made history with the passage of a bill for establishment of the commission.

She expressed appreciation to Abia State House of Assembly for passing the bill, and described the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu as diaspora-friendly.

She also lauded Dr Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters and Special Duties, for diligence and consistency in ensuring the passage of the bill.

She called on other states to emulate Abia, hoping that the Diaspora Commission would provide a platform to tap into enormous resources in Abia indigenes in the Diaspora for the development of the state.

The bill known as “Abians in Diaspora Commission and Other Matters Bill, was sponsored by Dr Mike Ukoha, Minority Whip/Member representing Arochukwu Constituency.

The bill, among others, seeks to establish the Abians in Diaspora Commission in order to monitor the welfare of Abia indigenes abroad.

The bill is also expected to encourage Abia indigenes in the Diaspora in investments and development opportunities in Abia and Nigeria in general.