THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation-Worldwide (NIDO-WW) has condemned the murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, over alleged blasphemy.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the gruesome murder of Miss Deborah for alleged blasphemy,” Gary Unamadu, the Co-ordinating Chairman of NIDO-WW, said in his official reaction to the incident which took place on 12 May.
“This barbaric action and religious intolerance are unacceptable in this age and time; it is time the Federal Government stopped impunity associated with this bestial culture of self-help, as culprits are seldom punished,” he added.
“It behoves on the law enforcement agencies to speedily expose those who instigated and perpetrated the despicable killing of Deborah and bring them to justice.”
Speaking further on the brutal, daylight murder, Unamadu said the killing, carried out by a mob of students at the institution, and the subsequent riot by youths in the city which led to widespread destruction of property would have an adverse impact on the drive for increased foreign direct investment in the country.
“While, we, in the diaspora are promoting Nigeria and toiling to bring direct investment into the country, some unscrupulous individuals hide under the cloak of religion to carry-out gruesome acts,” Unamadu said.
“This brings the country into disrepute, making it unsuitable for foreign investment.”
Unamadu urged government to take urgent steps to stem the worrisome trend in already unsuitable investment climate of the country, due to insecurity and social disorder.
NIDO is an umbrella body for Nigerians living in the diaspora. It is a non-governmental and non-partisan organisation.
NIDO Worldwide (NIDO-WW) consists of five continental zones – NIDO Europe, NIDO Africa, NIDO Asia, NIDO Oceania and NIDO Americas.
The current leadership of NIDO Worldwide comprises of Gary Unamadu, Coordinating Chair/Chairman NIDO-Oceania, Dr Ezekiel Macham, Chairman NIDO Americas, Prof Emenike Ejiogu, Chairman NIDO Asia, Dr Bashir Obasekola, Chairman NIDO Europe, and Dr Chikelu Kingsman, Chairman NIDO Africa.
Collins Obi
