The Senate replaces Natasha as a diaspora, president of the NGO committee – Thage

By Victor Osula, Abuja

The Senate replaced Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan as president of the Senate Committee for the diaspora and non-governmental organizations (NGO), appointing Senator Aniekan Bassey of Cross River State as his successor.

The president of the Senate Godswill Akpabio announced the change during Thursday’s plenary session.

“There is a change in the Presidency of the Committee. The Senate Committee for the diaspora and non -governmental organizations will now be chaired by Senator Aniekan Bassey,” he said.

In a small reshuffle in early February, Senator Natasha was removed as president of the Senate Committee for local content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGO committee.

Natasha was originally appointed president of the Senate Committee for local content following his oath as a senator in November 2023.

However, on February 4, 2025, the President of the Senate Akpabio led a reshuffle of leadership of the Committee, removing it from the local content and reassigning it to preside over the Diaspora and NGO committee.

His mandate as President of the Diaspora and NGO Committee was abruptly interrupted when, on March 6, 2025, he was suspended for six months for racing accusations linked to clashes during the reshuffle.

Although no official reason has been given for its substitute, it is believed that development can be connected to the unsolved state of its suspension.

A judgment of the Federal High Court by Judge Binta Nyako had ordered the reintegration of Senator Natasha, but the Senate claims that he still has to receive a certified copy of the Court sentence.

The committee for the organization of the diaspora and non -governmental has the task of monitoring the goals and NGOs of the diaspora, providing indications on domestic remittances, facilitating dialogue with local governments and authorities and promoting the exchange of ideas between Nigerians at home and abroad. It also supervises annual budget estimates relating to diaspora affairs.

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