Dr Bashir Obasekola, Chairman of NIDOE, pictured right with one of his predecessors, Dr Alistair Soyode, Director of BEN TV London. Dr Obasekola, who is seeking a second two-year term in office, will give an account of his stewardship at the 2022 AGM/Photo: Bashir Obasekola/Photo: NIDOE
Nigerians from across Europe will gather in Rome, Italy, on 10-14 November for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE).
Dr Bashir Olalekan Obasekola, chairman of NIDOE, will deliver a keynote speech, highlighting the activities of the organisation since he assumed office two years ago.
Among the activities scheduled to take place during the 4-day event is the Economic Development Summit, which will focus on the impact of diaspora direct development to national development. Issues of concern to Nigerians abroad as well as developments at home will also be debated at the meeting.
Moreover, a new central executive council of NIDOE will be elected in Rome, an event that takes place every two years.
Rome 2022, which will also be attended by dignitaries from Nigeria, is a special one as it marks the 20th anniversary of NIDOE’s founding.
A special anniversary publication will be launched during the conference while past leaders of the organisation are expected to receive awards at the gala night rounding up the AGM.
Dignitaries expected in Rome include Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), HE Sarafa Tunji Isola, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, HE Mfawa Omini Abam, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Italy with Concurrent Accreditation to the Republic of Albania, HE Paul Adikwu, Nigerian Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican), and Nicola Franco, the President of the Rome Municipality.
Dr Obasekola, who is seeking a second two-year term in office, has appealed to members of the organisation across Europe to endeavour to attend the annual meeting.
NIDOE, which has 23 chapters in 22 countries in Europe, is one of the five continental zones of NIDO Worldwide. The other zones are NIDO Africa, NIDO Asia, NIDO Oceania and NIDO Americas.
NIDO is the single representative body recognized by the Federal Government of Nigeria as the umbrella organisation for Nigerians in the Diaspora.
NIDO was initiated by then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 as a quasi-official body for Nigerian professionals working abroad, which is expected to act as a vehicle to mobilise diaspora human, financial and other resources to support national development efforts.
In September 2000, the Nigerian High Commission in London hosted, on the instruction of the then president, a seminar for Nigerians with recognised professions who were resident in Europe. Over 500 people participated in the forum. The meeting laid the groundwork for the formation of NIDO Europe, which was officially launched in London on 26 October 2002.
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