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 German chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has elected a new executive committee. The election was part of the body’s annual general meeting, which took place on Saturday, 22 June in the city of Dortmund.
Dr RosaLyn Dressmann was elected to lead the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Germany (NIDOG) as President for the next two years at the event. She had been acting in the position since the death of Kenneth Alaekwe in February 2018 after a brief but serious illness.
Ms Dressmann, a sociologist and social entrepreneur, is the founding chairman of AfricanTide Union e.V., an organisation engaged in political, economic and cultural integration issues between Africa and Europe.
Also elected were Mr Godwin Ogbebor, a security and anti-terrorism expert, as Vice President and Mr Femi Awoniyi, publisher of The African Courier, as General Secretary.
Other new officers of NIDOG exco are performing artist Mr Toni Tuklan (Ass. General Secretary), internationally renowned artist Dr Vivian Chioma Timothy (Public Relations Officer), Mazi Obiora Nweke (Project Officer), Ms Chinelo Ntagu (Financial Secretary) and Hajia Saratu Leko Peters (Treasurer).
Speaking after her election, Dr Dressmann promised to work closely with her colleagues on the exco to reposition NIDOG to enable it fulfil its core mandate, which is to drive a greater Diaspora engagement in Nigeria’s development.
The new NIDOG leader said an extensive review of the organisation’s constitution to enhance its effectiveness would be her priority. Ms Dressmann also promised to initiate a programme for youths of Nigerian origin in Germany to bring them closer to their country of origin.
The event was witnessed by, among other special guests, Minister Mohammed Anka, who represented HE Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany. In his speech, Mr Anka pledged the cooperation of the mission with NIDOG in its efforts to contribute to the development of their home country. He praised members of the organisation for their activities, such as providing succour to the less-needy and training opportunities for young people in Nigeria, among other initiatives.
Mr Anka rejected the insinuation that some Embassy’s officials take money from Nigerians to do what they’re employed to do. “Don’t give money to anybody on behalf of Embassy’s staff,” he said. “It’s a shame for anybody living in Europe to give bribe to access service in their Embassy.”
Minister Anka also called on NIDOG to take other Nigerian associations along so that it could effectively represent all Nigerians in Germany.
In his comments, Kenneth Gbandi, chairman of NIDO Europe, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the meeting and the election and hoped that the new officers would take the German chapter to higher levels.
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About NIDO
NIDOG is the German chapter of the global Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO). The mandate of NIDO is to promote the welfare of the Nigerian Diaspora and pursue national development through advocacy, networking, partnerships and bilateral cooperation.
In doing so, NIDO leverages its enormous numerical strength and offers an excellent platform through which Nigerians and their partners channel their activities to Nigeria. Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) is the continental umbrella organisation of all NIDO chapters in Europe with headquarters at the Nigerian High Commission in London.
More on NIDOG at http://nidogermany.de/
