Adeyinka Olaiya, Sao Paulo/
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), Brazil chapter has launched a crusade towards fixing Nigeria as its newly elected officials were sworn in at the executive auditorium of Sao Paulo State legislative council.
Present at the event were notable Nigerians in Brazil and in the Americas.
The crusade was initiated with a welcoming speech by the out-going president of the organization, Honorable Darlington George who asked every Nigerian present at the occasion to consider how they could help towards making Nigeria a better place to live. He asked for a United Nígeria, a Nigeria of peace and tranquillity.
Honourable Chika Emmanuel, the Secretary-General of the Organization in his speech cited one of the very important projects of NIDO towards promoting the Agricultural and technological exchange between Nigeria and Brazil. He urged every citizen to work for a better Nigeria.
Yoruba Grand patron and executive member of the Organization, Otunba Adekunle Aderounmu, spoke on the cultural importance of every society. He urged Nigerians in Diaspora to be good ambassadors of the nation by exhibiting what is good in the country’s culture and tradition at any given time.
NIDO’s newly elected president, Dr Yusuf Bamidele Adesina, gave an inspirational speech after he was sworn in by the outgoing president.
He said, “I came to Brazil approximately 40 years ago. I found myself suddenly in Brazil even without speaking Portuguese. I was committed to studying whatever came my way. I didn’t know anybody but met a Brazilian elder who was committed to helping me and my colleagues even without understanding what we were saying in English. He displayed humanity, helped us to learn Portuguese and stood by us till we achieved our goals to study in the country. I found myself at the University of Sao Paulo, where I finally realized my dream with the help of this Brazilian Good Samaritan. Today, I am a medical doctor. I am taking this office as the President of NIDO to pay back to the society what the society gave to me and I will do it with all my strength as a good Nigerian. Thank you very much for the opportunity.”
Adesina’s speech drew huge applause from the audience.
In his address, the Vice President of the Organization, Mr Uche Chris Uzoigwe, said that NIDO in the Americas was created by the then President of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo when he thought it right as the easy source of interaction between the government of Nigeria and the Nigerians living abroad. It has a ministry attached to the office of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of Abike Dabiri-Erewa. It is an organization that treats the issues of Nigerians abroad and how they can also participate in the betterment of Nigeria even if they remain abroad.
The occasion was graced with the presence of important personalities including Honorable (Dr.) Alex Colman, Hon. Sylvia Ikegwuonu; Former Super Eagles player, Benji Nzeakor; Inacia Chagas Uzoigwe, Marina Uzoigwe, Magdalena Chagas, Victor Chagas, Gabriela Chagas, Rodrigo Chagas, Camila Chagas, Wagner Campos, Maria Jose Campos, Júlia Chagas, Alex Theophilus (President Anambra State Association) Mauricio Mudrik, Hilary Chigbuo, Mrs Oluwadare Toyin, and Michael Moses Aba.
There was a representative of the Governor of Sao Paulo State at the event, as well as Nigerian Postgraduate Students from the University of Sao Paulo.
Mrs Oluwadare Toyin, a PhD student in Chemical Engineering told NewsmakersNG, “We hope that the government of Nigeria will continue encouraging exchange programs in the areas of science and technology. I am here on a sandwich PhD program in Chemical Engineering. I thank Nigeria. I thank God and I also thank NIDO, Brazil for allowing me to be present here today and for their initiatives towards encouraging unity among the Nigerians in diaspora and for the betterment of our great country Nigeria.”
Another personality at the event, Mr Michael Moses Aba, expressed gratitude for the opportunities given to him and his colleagues by both the private and government initiatives in Nigeria for the postgraduate programs offered them in Brazil. He also thanked God and NIDO for their efforts towards making Nigeria a better place.
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