Welcome address to the 2003 NIDO Convention, By Hon. Joe Keshi, Consul-General of Nigeria (Atlanta, Georgia, USA), October 17-18, 2003

It is not by accident that we meet here in Atlanta, Georgia, in what arguably is the first convention of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organization, since its formation over two years ago. I am therefore pleased and honoured to welcome you all to this city and to this convention, which for me holds a lot of promise.

I welcome and recognize all our distinguished guests especially those who have traveled all the way from Nigeria to support our efforts here today.

My respect and salutations to you, Doctor, Professor, Ambassador and now distinguished Senator Jubril Aminu of the upper house of the Nigerian National Assembly. Had you failed to be present at this convention, a vaccum, a big vaccum would have been created. More than contributing your fair share to the establishment of NIDO , your presence is a testimony to your belief and commitment on the need to engage and factor Nigerians abroad in the development of our country.

Welcome also Hon Nassir El-Rufai, Hon Minister of the Federal Territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The much I have heard about your coming for this convention, let me assure you that your are in a friendly territory, among friends and admirers, who speaks loudly of your courage, tenacity and the contributions you are making in the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. We look forward to your views on how those present here can help make the difference.

Ambassador Howard Jeter - welcome back home to sweet home Atlanta. You were a friend before you went to Nigeria, a great friend while in Nigeria and I have no doubt that even in your retirement and with Georgia on your mind, that you would remain a true friend of Nigeria. Welcome and thank you for honouring us with your presence. Our own Emmanuel Onunwor - Mayor of East Cleave land, Ohio, I salute you, for you remain an inspiration and an example that with guts and determination, Nigerian-Americans can also succeed in the murky waters of American politics. We are glad that you have once again found time to identify and be with us. We say welcome, as we also greet the representatives of Mayor Shirley Franklin's of Atlanta, and the Mayor of East Point. We are lucky to have with us today a young man who have made an extraordinary contribution to the financial sector in Nigeria. He has brought style - dynamism leadership and seriousness to the world of banking in Nigeria. He met the challenges of establishing a bank with courage and vision which has seen Standard Trust Bank becoming one of the four big banks in Nigeria. Mr. Tony Elumelu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Office of Standard Trust Bank, we appreciate your presence

I have reserved my special welcome for the respected Chief Ufot Ekaette, the Special representative of the President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and who in his own right is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. In his position as the SGF, Chief Ekaette has been involved with NIDO from its inception and the president could not have sent a better representative.

Your presence at this convention is very re-assuring. It demonstrates the President's faith and commitment not only to NIDO but to all Nigerians in the Diaspora. This in itself poses for us a challenge - that we must not filter away the invitation and opportunity to give back something to the Federal Republic. Through you, we expect to hear the President's voice and challenge at this convention. I pray that the president's message today will be the inspiration, the driving force that is needed to re-energise the base, revitalize the interest that is needed not only for the revival of NIDO but for its survival. I therefore say to all Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially professionals, who still have doubts, those still deliberating and those still sitting on the fence, to come on board and help build and make NIDO a worthy, respected, disciplined, and purposeful organization for Nigerians in the Diaspora. Those aggrieved and those offended by the past must let the past be. The future, especially our future and that of our country is too important for us to continue to dwell on the past or allow one disappointment to becloud our judgment.

It is in this connection, that I also appeal that we must make no mistakes or create any illusion about what NIDO represents. NIDO is for all Nigerians in the Diaspora with the requisite knowledge, skills, experience and expertise to make a worthy contribution to national development. As stated in NIDO's Constitution, NIDO's mission is to galvanise and mobilize the vast human resources of Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora towards building a great nation, NIDO must therefore remain faithful to its mission statement if it is to be what the President expects it to be.

Equally, because NIDO is not a political entity in any form or manner, it should strive and indeed resist the temptation of being labeled or seen to be playing some politics. Any suspicion that either its leadership or groups within NIDO or individuals are using the organization to purse their personal and political agenda will create serious problems of credibility for the organization. It will also endanger its future. This must not happen or allowed to happen.

In the run up to this convention, papers were called for on various subjects on Nigeria. The response was very encouraging and some of the papers would be presented in the course of the convention. This is in line with NIDO's mission and objectives. Indeed Nigerians should be encouraged to discuss issues of common concerns in the hope of finding a common ground on which to anchor the solutions to our problems. Nevertheless, in discussing Nigerian problems in a forum like this, we should as humanely as possible, and with some humility exercise some restrains some cautions and some consideration for those who bear the daily burden of managing our affairs.

Nigeria's problem is not the shortage or lack of ideas or solutions. Our archives are full of brilliant papers, ideas, policies, projects and programs, prepared by some of the best and brightest minds in the country that have been abandoned or have failed at managerial level or at the point of implementation. How Nigerian professionals abroad, in conjunction with their colleagues at home can intervene or bring their knowledge, skills and expertise to bear on this critical issue will determine the future and relevance of NIDO. Perhaps the point is that we have talked enough for now. Our situation calls for some desperate action. Let our deeds march our words.

My friends, it is time for action, it is time for sacrifice. No sacrifice is too small or too big to pay, if the cause is to give back to a nation that has given us so much. Well over eighty percent of Nigerians in the Diaspora are the beneficiaries of the best of two worlds - a sound educational foundation in Nigeria and exposure to the new world. It was however the foundation in Nigeria that prepared you all for your American journey. It is for this reason that Nigerian professionals must yield to the call to volunteer their time, knowledge and skills to help the country in any way possible.

It is for this reason, also that this convention among others, must focus first on how to build and expand NIDO into a strong virile organization with an extensive network to all Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora. In order words we must appreciate not only the wisdom of a data bank of all Nigerian professions, we must begin today without further delay to build the data bank. we should leave this convention with a programme on how to reach out to Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora where ever they may be in the Americas. Secondly, from this convention must equally emerge some understanding or modalities of chanelling the collective expertise, skills and experience of Nigerians in the Diaspora into the process of decision making in Nigeria. There can be no better opportunity to hold such a discussion than in the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and his team which includes Prof. B. Y. Abubakar, Director, Policy Implementation and Monitoring Unit, office of the SGF and Mrs. Rita Shodipo, Special Assistant to the President on G77 and NIDO.

NIDO holds a lot of promise. Our challenge at this convention is to turn the promise into reality. We cannot afford to fail for the price of failure is too ominous to contemplate. Chairman Emeka Ugwuonye, NIDO Board, registered and potential NIDO members, the challenge is yours. Good luck and welcome once again to you all.

Thank you.