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| Ambassador N.N. Akanbi hands over documents of NAN-NL to Chief Oliver Nwankwo, the new President of the Association |
According to reports from the Nigerian Voice, History was made in The Netherlands recently when a free and fair election was conducted and newly elected officers were inaugurated by Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs) N.N. Akanbi, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to The Netherlands.
It has been a long journey since the inception of Her Excellency over four years ago to assist Nigerians in the Netherlands to establish a credible association to represent Nigerians living in the Netherlands.
Her view is that many of the issues and subjects expected to be solved by the Nigerian Embassy could be channel through their own leadership at the Association so that the Embassy can concentrate on its key task of building strong diplomatic and economic ties with the Netherlands.
According to Ambassador Akanbi; the Netherlands is a strong business interest for the growth and development of Nigeria and there is good business cooperation since her resumption here. “My task as Nigeria Ambassador with the mandate of his Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan is to ensure that the Dutch are adequately informed of business opportunities in Nigeria, attract them into coming to do business in Nigeria and create the right visit environment for them”. So far Her Excellency has done that with pride and dignity.
On the new association called NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (NNA-NL). The Association is an umbrella association, made up of all legally registered Nigerian Associations in The Netherlands. This is the first of its kind in the history of Nigerians in the Netherlands. It is the brain-child of Her Excellency, as she thought it worthy that there should be a Nigerian Association so that Nigerians can speak with one voice.
In order to actualize this noble objective, the Steering Committee of the NNA was set up under the leadership of Chief Oliver Nwankwo and Pastor Larry Omodia as Secretary. With other Nigerians, they drafted a constitution, seek wider opinion on it and finally had it adopted and launched during the 51st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria. Monthly meetings were then held, and at the meeting of March, 2012, an Electoral Committee was set up with the mandate to conduct elections on the 21st of April, 2012 for an executive body.
The Electoral Committee had the following members; Mazi T. S. Aguzien as Chairman, Engr. Steve Ajere, Nze Austin Nnawuihe, Mr. Jude Chukwu (Representing the Nigerian Embassy) and Hajiya Hajara Ozohu Yusuf as Secretary. The Committee took this job seriously and set about the work by encouraging Nigerian associations to register with the sum of €50. An Electoral Registration form was designed which was sent out for those who were interested in elective positions in the new association.
The criteria set up for candidates standing for elective posts were as follows:
1. Filling the Registration form and have it signed by the Chairman of his/her Association.
2. Possess an Uittreksel - (a proof document from the municipality of residence)
3. The Chamber of commerce registration letter of their Association (kvk).
4. Photocopy of their Nigerian passport/resident permit
5. Passport photograph (1)
6. Candidates for the posts of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer needed in addition to the above, a no criminal letter from the Ministry of Justice (IND).
The election was held on 21st of April 2012. The election was conducted in a transparent manner as two officers of the Electoral Committee members, Engr. Steve Ajere and Nze. Austin Nnawuihe made a transparent ballot box, ballot papers and endorsed it, displayed for every one present to see Candidates were registered for the elections as well as the registration of Associations. The registration papers were scrutinized by the committee members. 20 Associations were registered and each paid the €50 fees. The Associations registered include the following; Nigerian Union-Breda, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, PDP Holland Chapter, Igbo Cultural Association of Nigeria(ICAN), Edo International Association-The Hague, Abia Union-The Netherlands, Oodua Progressive Union, Nadwat-ul-Ahil society of Nigeria-Netherlands branch, Oduduwa Descendant Association of Netherlands, Nigerian Women of Integrity, Association of Nigerians in International Organisations(ANIONS), Esan Community in The Netherlands, Owerri Peoples' Association, Blessed Golden Mothers Club, Nigerian Women Association, Afemai Care Foundation, Idemili Progressive Union, Accord Club of Holland, Igbo Union-the Netherlands, Otu-Iviedo in the NL, The Akwa-Cross Association and The Oranje Men's club..
After the first round of elections, some positions were not filled so a re-run election took place a week later before the new executives were inaugurated by Her Excellency, Ambassador Akanbi.
The Chairman of the Electoral committee, Mazi T.S. Aguzien welcomed the Ambassador and presented the new Executives of NNA-NL 2012 to Her Excellency to the applause of all those present. Those sworn-in are follows; President: Chief Oliver Nwankwo, Vice-President: Mr. Adeniyi Ayodeji Okele, National Secretary-General: Mr. Martin Bello-Imam, Deputy National Secretary: Mrs. Comfort Oyanna-Ebitanmi, National Provost(Whip): Mr. Wahab Ademola Ishola and Treasurer: Mrs. Victoria Wobo. In the core working committee is Chairman: Mr. Leeroy Paul Ugada, Assistant Chairman: Mr Taiwo Evbuwan, General Secretary: Mr. Nelson Idoreyin Mbotidem, Deputy General Secretary: Otunba –Bambo Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Financial Secretary: Mr. Olatunji Sanni, Auditors: To be appointed by the NRC and Chief Whip: Mr. Oladosu Michael. However the position of Director of Publicity (Webmaster) is still vacant.
Also appointed are regional coordinators for the Nigeria Association and those officers including Den-Haag: Mr. Anthony Uwalaka, Tilburg: Mrs. Remy Diara Ojutalayo, Eindhoven: Mr. Joe Odia, Breda: Mr. Frank U. Idiok, Rotterdam: Mrs. Angela Imhanlahimi. We are informed that there are still vacancies for other major cities across the country for Coordinators.
Ambassador Akanbi thanked the Electoral Committee members for a job well-done before inaugurating the New Executives. She congratulated them and encouraged them to work hard as they carry out their responsibilities given to them. She also encouraged all Nigerians to give the maximum support to them because they cannot work alone. Her Excellency called on other Nigerian Associations yet to register with the NNA; to join for mutual benefits of all Nigerians.
The sum of €1,100 was presented to Her Excellency to be given to the New Executives headed by Chief Nwankwo. This money was counted publicly and then handed over to Chief Oliver Nwankwo. He was also giving some files containing some documents of NAN-NL by the chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mazi T.S. Aguzien.
The new President, Chief Oliver Nwankwo, in his acceptance speech on behalf of the Executives, thanked Her Excellency and all Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to serve them and promised to do his best. Mr. Okele, his deputy and Mr. Bello-Imam (Secretary) also gave their own speeches too. Opportunity was given to other Nigerians to speak. The vote of thanks was given by the Regional Co-ordinator for Tilburg, Mrs. Remy Diara Ojutalayo. To end the day, closing prayers was said by Alfa. Ibrahim Ashade of NADWAT Association.
The Embassy was appreciated for providing the venue, drinks and snacks for the day. And also various Nigerian groups that also provided snacks and drinks for the inauguration ceremony.
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