PRESS RELEASE | NIDO Europe calls for international security submit on Nigeria

Posted by admin Headlines, Press Releases Saturday, December 31st, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Attached]

London, 25 December 2011

PRESS RELEASE | NIDO EUROPE CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY SUMMIT ON NIGERIA

Like the rest of the world, Nigerians in Diaspora in Europe woke up on Christmas Day to the horrific news of more terror attacks at different locations in Nigeria by the religious extremist sect, Boko Haram, killing some 50 people, with the majority dying on the steps of a Catholic Church after celebrating Christmas Mass near Abuja, the Federal Capital. More attacks later took place in Jos, Plateau State and Damaturu, Yobe State.

Reacting to the attacks, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe, Hon. Collins Nweke, described the terrorist attacks as senseless while calling for an international summit on Nigeria’s security. “It is obvious that the Nation is faced here with a major terrorism challenge, one that the rest of the world cannot afford to look away and consider a problem far from their beds” Nweke cautioned. “If any lesson is to be learnt from recent history on the emergence and development of terrorist networks across the globe, it is that a concerted, cross-border, rapid response must be applied without delay” he added.

Between July 2009 and December 2011, about twelve attacks have been credited to Boko Haram, claiming an estimated 1200 lives, injuring and maiming thousands more including women and children. The Government of Nigeria has not been pretentious about its lack of capacity to deal with the issue at hand. “It is therefore inevitable that friends and allies of Nigeria in the international community must come together in an international security summit, among others, to deliberate on the dangers at hand, share experiences on counter-terrorism strategies and consider possible legislative reforms to strengthen the Nigerian Security Forces” Nweke opined.

While NIDO Europe cautions against any attempts at hasty constitutional amendment to the effect of the establishment of State Police Force, the organisation remains ready to facilitate an international dialogue to consider best practices around the world with a view to arriving at a reform or constitutional amendment that best suits the Nigerian peculiarities.

The entire Nigerians in Diaspora in Europe mourn with the families of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

For further enquiries or an interview with Collins Nweke please contact the undersigned.

(signed)

Collins Nweke |Chairman NIDO Europe

Email: chair@nidoeurope.org

Tel. +32 498 345 889.

(signed)

Benson Osawe | General Secretary

Email: secretariat@nidoeurope.org

Tel: +44 7958 299 912

WHO WE ARE

Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE) is the European arm of a global Nigerian Diaspora network. Established in the year 2000 and registered in England and Wales in 2002 under the Companies Act, the organization’s Headquarters is in London from where it serves its 18 Regional Chapters in 17 European Countries under the trade name Organisation of All Nigerians in Diaspora.

Membership of the organization is open to all Nigerians, 18 years and above and resident in Europe. Corporate membership is open to all Nigerian professional and community organizations in Europe.

NIDOE provides 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 Nigerians worldwide.

The Government of Nigeria recognizes the organization as the official platform through which individual Nigerian 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.

STRUCTURE

The highest organ of NIDOE is the General Assembly made up of members across Europe. The Organization is governed by its Board of Trustees (BoT), who are fit, proper and accomplished individuals drawn from its membership and representing diverse professions. The 18 Regional Chapters are governed by Chapter Executives headed by a Chapter Chairperson. The BoT and Chapter Representatives meet yearly at a Summit to review policy and chart new directions for the organization. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) holds on yearly basis. The organization has an Advisory Board with a mandate to provide advice and counseling to the organization through the Board of Trustees.

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