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 Italy Chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) has elected a new executive council. At the end of a hotly-contested vote in Rome on Saturday (15 July), Dr Akuwudike Lawrence Ibekwe emerged Chairman and Mr Godwin Obaseki, Vice Chairman.
Other officials elected at the annual general meeting of NIDO Italy are Mr Fidel O’Neil Wilson (General Secretary), Chief Ignatius Ejike Obidike ( Legal Adviser ), Mr James Onuegbu ( Event and Welfare Director), Engr. Omorodion Iduhon (Public Relation Officer) and Mrs Lovina Okpara Ogbulie (Treasurer).
In his inaugural speech as Chairman, Dr Ibekwe thanked all members of the chapter for their co-operation which contributed to the success of the event, which was graced by the Continental Chairman of NIDOE, Hon. Kenneth Gbandi.
He also expressed his profound gratitude to Hon. Gbandi and other members of the Continental Executive for “their efforts and pains” in ensuring that a free and fair election of the Italy Chapter took place.
Gbandi, supported by members of his Continental Executive, greatly helped in resolving a crisis in NIDO Italy which had hampered the smooth functioning of the organisation for some time.
“We can now categorically say that NIDO Italy is back in full force to her vital position in the affairs of NIDOE,” Ibekwe happily declared at the event.
“We also use this opportunity to call on stakeholders, esteemed members of our chapter, to come together in unity to move our chapter to the next level,” he said in the conclusion of his speech.
In his brief comment, Hon. Gbandi said: “I congratulate the electoral committee and NIDO Italy members for standing up for democratic principles.” The NIDOE chief also thanked Mrs. Margaret B. Meshioye, Chargé D’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Rome, and her counterpart at the Holy See, Mr. Stephen Anthony Awuru, for taking time out to observe the event.
“On behalf of the Central Executive Council (CEC) and the Board of Trustees (BOT), Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe, I welcome the newly-elected Executive and the entire NIDO Italy family,” Hon. Gbandi added.
NIDO Italy had been embroiled in a crisis which necessitated the BOT of NIDOE, comprising the CEC and Chapter Chairs, to establish a Peace Committee in February 2017 to resolve the crisis. Saturday’s election could rightly be described as the successful culmination of efforts to re-establish peace in NIDO Italy.
Sola Jolaoso
