Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa has reacted to the N13.3 million donated by star footballer, David Alaba, to curb open defecation in the country.
Dabiri shared her thoughts on Sunday when officials from Ecobank and the National Coordinator, Organised Private Sector, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), visited her in Abuja to present the symbolic Cheque from David Alaba.
In a statement signed by Mr Gabriel Odu, the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the commission, Dabiri acknowledged the efforts of Nigerians in Diaspora, Europe (NiDOE) and its umbrella group in Austria in facilitating the donation.
Dabiri urged other Nigerians in the Diaspora to emulate the laudable initiative of Alaba, the Nigerian-born football player of Real Madrid football club.
NiDCOM Boss who received the symbolic cheque stated that the gesture by the International Star, who was also an OPS-WASH Ambassador, is highly commendable.
Dabiri- Erewa also thanked the vision of the Presidency and the Ministry of Water Resources, as well as other stakeholders in pushing for a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.
On the way forward, Dabiri-Erewa stated that the project of building modern toilet facilities, aimed at sustainable job creation, will begin in Ogun State, Alaba’s home state.
She also urged Project Managers to successfully deliver in record time.
National Coordinator, OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, also stated that open defecation has been a concern to the Federal Government.
He noted that this prompted the establishment of the WASH Initiative and a 17-Man Presidential Steering Committee; made up of individuals from the Federal Government, Public and Private sectors.
Dr. Igwe assured that the state-of-the-art waste equipment would not only better the ecosystem by reducing pollution, but would be a great source of biofuel and organic manure, job creation, and lift the economic structure in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator also appreciated Dabiri-Erewa for her tireless efforts in linking Nigerians, home and abroad, to develop the country.
According to him, “including NiDCOM as a facilitating body will effectively mobilise Nigerians in the Diaspora to key into this plan and enable the project to go a long way.”
Regional Manager, Premier Banking (FCT & North), Ecobank, Mr. Emeka Amadi stated that through the bank, as the facilitating financial institution, the contribution would assist the Clean Nigeria Initiative to actualise the elimination of open defecation by 2025.
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