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 virtually on Saturday, 26 June.
Femi Awoniyi was elected unopposed to lead the NIDO Germany as President for the next two years at the event. He replaced Dr RosaLyn Dressman who did not seek re-election after more than three years at the helm of the organisation.
Awoniyi, journalist and publisher of The African Courier, was the immediate past General Secretary of the body.
Also elected were Chief Uche Ojiodu-Ambrose (aka Toni Tuklan), a performing artist and entertainment entrepreneur, as Vice President and Mr Moses Ogun, a bioresource engineer, as General Secretary.
Femi Awoniyi, the new President of the German chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation /Photo: Private
Other new officers of NIDOG exco are humanitarian activist and motivation speaker Caius Eze (Ass. General Secretary), journalist Larry Bello (Public Relations Officer), political scientist Mazi Obiora Nweke (Project Officer), project management specialist Ms Chinelo Ntagu (Financial Secretary) and businesswoman Hajia Saratu Leko Peters (Treasurer).
In his appreciation speech, Awoniyi, the newly-elected president, said he sought the position because “I believe that a well organised and actively engaged Nigerian diaspora is critical to solving the myriad problems confronting our nation, Nigeria”.
He expressed his confidence in the future of the organisation and pledged his dedication to helping it fulfil its potential for the development of Nigeria.
Chief Uche Ojiodu-Ambrose (aka Toni Tuklan), a performing artist and entertainment entrepreneur, is the new Vice President of NIDO Germany/Photo: Private
Awoniyi said the executive committee under his leadership would pursue, among others, the increase in the active membership strength of the organisation as well as its professionalisation as an NGO.
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The new NIDO Germany leader said an extensive review of the organisation’s constitution to enhance its effectiveness would also be his priority, “to make our rule book unambiguous, ensure that it aligns with the relevant German legislations on voluntary associations and make it conform to international best practices”.
Ms Dressman, immediate past president of NIDO Germany, emphasised the importance of the diaspora to homeland development and the role of NIDO in driving diaspora engagement.
In his speech, Kenneth Gbandi, former chairman of NIDO Europe, expressed his admiration for NIDO Germany for being a role model among the chapters of the group in Europe. He observed that the regular change of leaders through elections in the organisation was an evidence of its democratic culture.
A minute silence in memory of Mr Kenneth Alaekwe, a former President of NIDO Germany who died in 2018, was observed.
Larry Bello
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About NIDO Germany
NIDO Germany 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.net/
