Our History >
NIDO was formed as a result of a catalytic, landmark event in 2000 involving
Diaspora Nigerians and high-level stakeholders from Nigeria in which the idea
for the organization was conceptualized. Below is the timeline and milestones
of the organization to date.
September 2000:
President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Atlanta to meet with Nigerians in the Americas.
Approximately 2000 Nigerians attended the meeting. Delegates expressed the
need to form an organization representing a coalition of all Nigerian professional,
trade and community associations to facilitate and streamline the process
of engagement of the Diaspora communities by the Nigerian government.
September
2000 –October 2001:
Detailed Framework for NIDO prepared
by a committee of Nigerian intellectuals and Professionals mostly based in
Atlanta, GA—led by Dr. Bato Amu.
October 2001:
Inception of NIDO Americas
Meeting in Washington, DC chaired by His Excellency
Ambassador Professor Jibril Aminu with 550 Nigerians in attendance:
-
Formation of Interim Board of NIDO
Americas with the election of two board members from each of
the 8 regions of the Americas.
-
Election of the Executive of
the Interim Board of NIDO Americas which was given the
responsibility to:
-
Develop the Bylaws/Constitution of NIDO
Americas.
-
Register NIDO Americas as a not-for Profit
Corporation in the District of Columbia but which would operate
in all
zones of the Americas
across geographical
and national boundaries.
-
Procure office space and hire the
staff for NIDO office.
-
Apply for and obtain 501 c3 (not-for-profit
status for NIDO Americas).
April 2002:
NIDO Professional Workshop –New York City attended by over 200
professionals and representatives of Nigerian businesses and government
officials.
December 2002:
First Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Washington DC and the
election of the Inaugural Board of NIDO Americas
October 2003:
NIDO Convention in Atlanta, GA.
February 28, 2004:
Certification of two NIDO Chapters
-
Atlanta, GA
-
Greater Washington, DC/ Maryland
Chapter
April 2004:
Change in leadership of NIDO Americas:
-
Ola Kassim, MD elected Chairman
of the Board replacing Mr. Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye ESQ.
-
Nkem
Okeke, Esq. elected Vice-Chairman replacing Ola Kassim MD
-
Mr. Femi Odere elected Public Relations
Officer replacing Nkem Okeke
Upon Taking Over in April 2004, the newly reconstituted Board focused its
energy on the following:
November 2004:
Town Hall Meeting in Washington DC between Nigerians in
Diaspora and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
to the United States, Prof. George Obiozor.
February 2005:
Pre-Conference for the National Political Reform
Conference (NPRC) organized by NIDO Americas hosted by the Nigeria
Embassy.
April 2005:
NIDO Annual General Meeting and Elections took place
at the Embassy of Nigeria, 3519 International Ct. NW Washington
D.C. 20008, from 10am-6pm.
-
An amendment was passed by the general membership to add a charitable
organization mandate in the by-laws. This amendment initiated a new 501c3 process,
which has led to the preliminary formation of NIDO Americas, the organization’s
charitable arm.
May 1, 2005:
Formation of NIDO Little Rock -Delta Triangle (unofficial) Chapter in Region
Five.
|
 |
|
|
