The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has extended her condolences to the family of the late 21-year-old Nigerian student, Qayyum Balogun, whose death in Dublin, Ireland, has left the nation and the Nigerian community abroad in mourning.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking and deeply unfortunate, she said the death was a painful loss of a bright and promising young man whose life was cut short in the prime of his youth.

Qayyum, a third-year Computer Science student at Maynooth University, was widely described as a peaceful, disciplined and hardworking young man who aspired to become a computer engineer.

Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stressed that Qayyum’s death is not only a devastating loss to his family but also to Nigeria, which continues to take pride in the achievements and contributions of its young citizens across the globe.

The NiDCOM boss said every Nigerian, irrespective of where they reside, deserves to live, study and pursue their dreams in safety and dignity.

She, therefore, expressed confidence that the ongoing investigation by the Irish authorities would be thorough, transparent and expedited to ensure that justice is served and that all those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.

She also commended the Nigerian Embassy in Ireland, members of the Nigerian community and all individuals and organisations that have supported the Balogun family during this difficult period.

She prayed that Almighty God would grant the family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the painful loss, and also prayed for the peaceful repose of Qayyum’s soul.

Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s solidarity with Nigerians in the diaspora and encouraged them to remain law-abiding while continuing to uphold the values of excellence, resilience and patriotism for which Nigerians are renowned worldwide.