The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe is the European arm of a global Nigerian Diaspora Network. Established in 2000 and registered a year later in England and Wales under the Companies Act, the organization’s Headquarters is in London, from where it serves its 19 Regional Chapters in 18 European Countries. NIDO Europe was created to provide an umbrella to all Nigerians in Europe. In concert with the other continental arms of NIDO in the Americas, Asia and Africa, the organization is the largest assembly of Diaspora Nigerians.
NIDO is the official platform recognized by the Federal Government through which individual Nigerian in the Diaspora and corporate bodies can channel their developmental efforts to Nigeria. In this sense, the organization partners with both public and private businesses in focused areas such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), professional networking, stakeholder advocacy and skills transfer to Nigeria. Following its election in November 2011, the Board of Directors of NIDO Europe identified Trade & Investment as a priority policy are. Other priority areas include political reform, youth empowerment/employment, education – particularly basic and vocational education – health and security.
To mention just a few of the initiatives that the organisation has been involved in, NIDO Europe, in partnership with its sister organisations in Asia, Africa and Canada inaugurated the Diaspora Trade & Investment Mission to States of Nigeria, which started with Osun State on 23 August 2012. The goal is to take the Trade Mission to as many states in the federation as possible, and there are ongoing talks with a number of states about that. In the same vein, London will be playing host to an unprecedented Nigeria Trade Forum from 24 to 26 January 2013.
The organisation rests on the goodwill and public spirit of its current seven-man Board of Directors and by extension the 19 Regional Chapter Chairpersons. Thinking strategically, the Board realises that a clear articulation of its policies and the strategies of achieving them can no longer be wished away. It is in this perspective that NIDO Europe is working towards the creation of Nigerian Diaspora National Development Strategy. The aim is that the document will highlight and discuss issues on which the organization is focusing its ongoing interactions with Diaspora Nigerians, the Nigerian government, development partners and the private sector. These are development issues that are of concern to Nigerians both home and abroad; issues in which Nigerians in Diaspora can take charge and over which they can exercise some measure of influence; and issues that the organization can use its unique position to bring to the center of concern in policy circles.
NIDO Europe therefore invites contributions of ideas on issues such as trade and investment, political reform, youth empowerment/employment, education, particularly basic and vocational education, health and security. Submissions from both Nigerians and non-Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora, are welcome. We would like to have the contributions in before October 15.
We look forward to reading your contributions.
