FULL REPORT & COMMUNIQUE OF NIDOE ORIENTATION AND LEADERSHIP RETREAT Friday 17th Feb. – 18th Feb. 2017, HAMBURG, GERMANY READY!
“A 29-page official report will be circulated to all chapter chairs. Chapter Chairs are constitutionally required to circulate the report to all their members. Financially up-to-date members who did not receive this report should kindly contact NIDO Europe secretariat for a follow-up”
Highlights: of Workshop on Current Diaspora Issues:
Diaspora Commission
NIDO Europe takes cognizance of the ongoing re-examination of the Diaspora Commission Bill by the National Assembly and encourages all parties to expedite actions in the passage of the Bill. NIDO Europe is hopeful that a repeat occurrence of the return of the Bill from the Presidency to the Legislature would be avoided and looks forward to a swift assent by Mr. President as soon as it reaches his desk.
Diaspora Voting Rights
NIDO Europe reiterates that voting by Nigerians at all elections is a fundamental right which must not be affected by the physical location of the citizen. The National Assembly is enjoined to do all within its powers to ensure that the Electoral Act is appropriately amended to enable voting by the Diaspora at Elections. We welcome the expressed commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement Diaspora Voting when the National Assembly completes its legislative work in this regard
Diaspora Policy
NIDO Europe sees the Diaspora Policy as a subset of the Diaspora Commission and would therefore recommend strongly that the passage of the Diaspora Commission Bill is prioritized. This does not preclude preparatory work on the Diaspora Policy by relevant stakeholder to enable swift deployment soon after the Bill is passed. The inclusion of NIDO in all the preparatory work is of paramount importance and the Organisation stands ready at all times to take its role seriously in this regard.
Diaspora Day
NIDO Europe emphasizes the need for early preparation for the Diaspora Day and calls on all partners and stakeholders for a round-table. The Organisation deplores marginalization of relevant partners in the preparation and actualization of the Diaspora Day events. We stand ready to constructively partner with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring an even more successful and result oriented Diaspora Day 2017
Diaspora Bond
NIDO Europe takes cognizance of recent launch of Diaspora Bond. The organization believes it can add significant value to Diaspora Bond and encourages the government to engage NIDO in the planning, promotion and implementation of such Bonds in the future.
A 29-page official report will be circulated to all chapter chairs this weekend. Chapter Chairs are constitutionally required to circulate the report to all their members. Financially up-to-date members who did not receive this report should kindly contact the secretariat for a follow-up.
Hon. Kenneth Gbandi
(Chairman CEC/BOT NIDO Europe)
16/03/2017
