The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called for close collaboration with the Switzerland Embassy for diaspora re-integration.

The Chairperson of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the call in a statement by Gabriel Odu, spokesman for the commission in Abuja on Monday.

Ms Dabiri-Erewa was speaking with the Switzerland Ambassador to Nigeria, Georg Steiner, at an interactive session on diaspora reintegration, diaspora data mapping and capacity building.

She said that with the establishment of NiDCOM and ratification of the National Diaspora Policy by the Federal Executive Council, Nigerians in the diaspora now had a one-stop agency to latch on for mutually beneficial engagement, encouragement and enablement for overall national development.

“Now that NiDCOM is birthed, it becomes utmost expedient to partner more importantly on the diaspora component of reintegration of returnees, data registration of Nigerians living in Switzerland and capacity building of staff.

“I believe that this will enhance socio-cultural and economic cravings of Nigerians in Switzerland to always think of home,” she said.

Responding, the Swiss Ambassador, commended the giant strides achieved by NiDCOM within a short span of two years.

Mr Steiner applauded NiDCOM for being the motivator and face of the diaspora, describing the commission as having great and excellent achievers and professionals that were changing the narratives.

The envoy promised that his government would be willing to support NiDCOM in its priority areas of socio-cultural exchanges, staff training and diaspora reintegration process.