I am forwarding to you all, information about the NIDO-America meeting on Saturday March 3, 2001. This email was received a few minutes ago and it is my hope that all of you will try as much as possible to attend this meeting. The email , itself is very direct and positive and I must congratulate the Consul General (Amb. Joe Keshi) for this succinct and open minded approach.
We have an opportunity here, to contribute to the formation of the organization. This is an opportunity to structure how we can help make a difference. Is the ball in our court ? Let us find out and if it is there, let us see what we can do with it. This is a challenge that we cannot refuse. God help us all !
You all need to be there and if you are unable to do so, it is my hope that a report will be sent to you and published on the web.
I wish you all the best. God bless Nigeria !
Bamidele A Ojo
To: Multiple Recipients
From: Joe Keshi, Consul General
February 16, 2001
This is to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your e-mail to the Consulate’s (Atlanta) Press Release on The Formation Of The Nigerians In the Diaspora Organisation (NIDO-AMERICA).
As previously communicated, the Washington meeting will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2001 at the "M" office of the Embassy of Nigeria, 2201 ‘M’ Street. N. W. Washington D.C. 20037, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Registration will be from 9 a.m. For the avoidance of doubt, the one-day meeting will consider among others, the objectives of NIDO-America, its organisation, structure and how to mobilize Nigerians in the Diaspora to effectively participate in the organization.
While we welcome the overwhelming positive responses to the formation of NIDO-America, we also do recognise the reservations, apprehensions and concerns expressed in some quarters. It is imperative to address some of the issues raised so that the noble intentions of the present administration could be better understood and appreciated. Equally, there is the need at this stage, to remove any lingering doubts as to government’s intentions and involvement in the formation of NIDO- America.
Most of those who have expressed some concern at government’s involvement have based their fears on the past and on their personal experiences with past military regimes in Nigeria. Their fears and personal experiences are so deep and in some cases so disturbing, that one cannot but express appreciation at the concerns expressed.
Nevertheless, while the past exists as a guide to the future, we cannot, however, remain prisoners of the past. It should be recognized that the circumstances that compelled some past military administrations to attempt to set up Nigerian organizations in America and elsewhere does not exist any more. If the Abacha administration for example, felt the need to mobilise Nigerians abroad, it was because of the need of that Administration to counteract the unfavourable image of the regime especially in a place like America.
The Obansanjo administration has no such pressure as America today maintains not only a cordial relationship with the administration, but has since the inception of the regime been very supportive of the democratic process in Nigeria. This has led to high level exchange of visits, culminating in the August 2000 visit of the former US President Bill Clinton to Nigeria. In addition, compared to the past where the emphasis was on generating support for the regime in Nigeria, the focus of the Obasanjo administration is on mobilizing Nigerians in the Diaspora to contribute their own quota to national development.
As a result, NIDO-America is partly in response to government’s recognition of the reservoir of knowledge and expertise of Nigerians in the Diaspora and the contributions they could make to national development and partly in response to the clamour of Nigerians in the Diaspora for participation in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
At the Presidential Dialogue in Atlanta, in response to some of the questions raised, the President was very emphatic in stating that while he could not guarantee the provision of jobs to all Nigerians in the Diaspora wishing to return home to Nigeria, he would, however, want to work with them to fashion out how best they could be involved in national development.
In encouraging Nigerians therefore to establish NIDO-America, and in facilitating the process, government is creating a platform or a vehicle through which Nigerians abroad, especially Nigeria’s best and brightest minds, could be involved one way or the other with the development of Nigeria.
Thus, while it might be ‘absurd’ (to some) for government to participate in the formation of an NGO, it is imperative to reassure all and sundry that government’s involvement will be limited to facilitating the process of establishing NIDO-America and in encouraging Nigerians in the Diaspora to participate in the affairs of the NGO. Once the structure, the management and mechanism for mobilizing Nigerians are agreed upon, in Washington, the future of NIDO- America will depend entirely on Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Consequently, those who are apprehensive of government’s intention and participation should, therefore, have the highest interest in ensuring the success of NIDO- America. The way forward is for Nigerians in the Diaspora to organise their strength into a compelling force and ensure the take-off of NIDO on a solid foundation from its inception. It would, therefore, become the responsibility of the Nigerians in the Diaspora to manage NIDO as an efficient and effective self-sustaining NGO such that it could not be manipulated even by future administrations in Nigeria.
On the question of finances or funding for NIDO- America, there is the need for some objectivity, considering the desire of Government to ensure a smooth take off of NIDO-America.
Government’s preparedness to provide initial funding for the set up of the organisation
should not be misconstrued, rather it should be welcomed. Besides, if the truth must be told, there is no major NGO in the world, that has not received or continued to benefit in one way or the other from government support.
In addition, contrary to speculations and expectations in some quarters, the government’s intention is that NIDO-America operate purely as a self-sustaining NGO.
With regards to working with existing organizations, as has been suggested, it is only fair to recognize in the first instance the cumbersome nature of working with so many professional, ethnic, political, socio-cultural and other Nigerian organisations in America. Given the likely administrative problems this might create, it was considered necessary to encourage Nigerians to form a national body that would not only represent their mutual interests, but also complement the existence of other Nigerian organizations in the Diaspora.
Besides, we do know that many Nigerians do not belong to some of the existing organizations in America. NIDO-America might end up as first among equals, but its existence will in no way threaten any existing organisation in America or elsewhere in the Diaspora.
Finally, may we appeal to all Nigerians in the Diaspora especially to those who have expressed deep-rooted concerns about government’s involvement to keep an open mind and participate either now or in the future in NIDO-America.
It will serve no purpose to wage an unnecessary campaign against the establishment of NIDO-America, nor to engage in acts of diseminating falsehood and name-calling against those who support the ideals of NIDO-America which no doubt will eventually benefit Nigerians in the Diaspora.
On the other hand, for those who have decided to give government the benefit of the doubt and have responded favourably, we wish to reiterate that once NIDO-America is launched, the challenge and the future of NIDO will largely be on your shoulders. The challenge, thereafter, will be
how to build NIDO-America into a formidable self-sustaining and non- profit NGO and
how to mobilize Nigerians in the Diaspora to achieve NIDO-America’s objectives.
In the meantime, we welcome useful ideas, proposals, and suggestions that will ensure the success of the Washington meeting, under the following headings:-
Aims and objectives
Organisational Structure
Management of NIDO-America
Funding
Mobilisation of Nigerians to participate in NIDO-America
Please forward your submissions as indicated above directly and solely to the Consulate-General of Nigeria (Atlanta) on or before February 21, 2001 via our e-mail or fax as follows:-
We, therefore, cordially invite all Nigerians and representatives of Nigerian organizations with shared vision in the formation of NIDO-America to the Washington meeting.
Guides
