THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany e.V. took place on Saturday, 13 June in Berlin.
Members from across Germany gathered in the federal capital, joined by others participating online, to review the state of NIDO Germany and chart a course for the future.
Outgoing President, Dr Moses Kolade Ogun, presented a report on the activities of his Executive Committee, whose two-year term ended at the AGM.
Weathering the Storm
The 2023–2025 leadership faced significant challenges due to actions by some members who contested the legality of its election and illegally established a so-called “Caretaker Committee”. This led to legal proceedings, in which the court, on two occasions, ruled in favour of the legitimacy of the Ogun-led Executive Committee.
Dr Ogun, an environmental engineer, noted that the nearly year-long legal battle distracted the committee from implementing its full agenda, which aimed to intensify efforts towards the organisation’s mission of advancing the interests of Nigerians in Germany and contributing to national development back home.
He thanked members for their resilience during the crisis and expressed satisfaction that the organisation is now back on track, adding value to its members and effectively pursuing its mandate.
Groundbreaking Achievements Despite Challenges
Despite the internal conflict that marked its tenure, the 2023–2025 Executive Committee successfully implemented a range of initiatives. These included a well-attended hybrid networking conference for Nigerian professionals, held in Berlin last year.
Of particular note is a project initiated by a group of NIDO Germany’s IT professionals to provide free internet access to campuses of higher education institutions in Nigeria using open-source technology.
Jointly led by Dr (Engr) Waheed Adeyemi and Engr Shakiru Oladunjoye, the project has now been adopted by NIDO Europe as a continent-wide initiative.
The outgoing Executive Committee also completed the long-awaited amendment of the organisation’s constitution, aligning it with official requirements for non-profit status. The court’s approval of the amended constitution, received just days before the Berlin AGM, now paves the way for the organisation to obtain non-profit status from the tax authorities.
This designation is crucial for securing financial support from government agencies and private foundations for future projects. The new constitution has already been submitted to the Berlin tax office, which is expected to approve NIDO Germany’s non-profit status soon.
Dr Ogun also introduced a new project aimed at supporting newly arrived Nigerians in Germany, a timely initiative given the increasing number of professionals, trainees and students immigrating from Nigeria. The project is currently being finalised for presentation to potential funders.
Defending the Constitution
Dr Ogun commended the Board of Trustees (BoT) for its unwavering support during the legal challenges and attempts to undermine the organisation’s constitution.
“Your solid support, wise counsel and guidance enabled us to weather the storm and stabilise the organisation,” he said.
Members discussed the crisis and explored ways to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Femi Awoniyi, a former president of the organisation, remarked that internal conflicts in diaspora organisations reflect poorly on Nigerians abroad, especially since the country expects them to contribute to national development.
He urged members to embrace democratic values when seeking leadership positions. “We live in democracies and witness how they function. Let’s apply those lessons in our conduct,” he said.
“We can’t arrogantly criticise our home country if we cannot behave better ourselves.”
Following the BoT’s report on the crisis, which was approved with a minor amendment, four members who formed the illegal caretaker committee were barred from membership of NIDO Germany for four years. Their readmission would require a resolution of the General Assembly. Furthermore, if readmitted, they would be permanently ineligible to hold any leadership positions within the organisation.
Speaking on behalf of the BoT, Mr Adeyemi Ademuyiwa explained that the disciplinary action was necessary to uphold the organisation’s constitution and maintain discipline.
Germany, Europe’s “Flagship Chapter”
Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), joined the meeting via Zoom from Nigeria. She congratulated NIDO Germany on the successful AGM and pledged continued engagement with the organisation.
Hon. Harold Ogunfemi, Chairman of NIDO Europe (NIDOE), also joined remotely. He praised NIDO Germany for its professionalism and leadership within the continental body and thanked the German chapter for its active role in NIDOE.
Ogunfemi provided an update on the NIDOE crisis and the UK court verdict that legitimised the Central Executive Committee elected in Athens last November, which he currently chairs.
He acknowledged the strong contributions of NIDO Germany members — Dr Ogun, Dr Waheed Adeyemi, and Engr Shakiru Oladunjoye — in sustaining NIDOE’s mission. He highlighted the IT project led by Adeyemi and Oladunjoye as the flagship initiative of the continental organisation.
Ogunfemi also urged members of NIDO Germany to actively participate in the 2025 Diaspora Week in July and this year’s NIDOE AGM, scheduled for November in Warsaw, Poland.
Peace Consolidated, New Leadership Elected
At the AGM, a new Executive Committee was elected to lead the organisation for the next two years. All members of the outgoing committee, except one who had reached the maximum term limit in an office, were re-elected unopposed, reflecting the renewed sense of unity within the organisation.
Newly elected Executive Committee:
- President: Dr Moses Ogun
- Vice President: Engr Shakiru Oladunjoye
- General Secretary: Engr Charles Onyeanuforo
- Assistant General Secretary: Michael Ejonobo
- Public Relations Officer: Dr Mathew Okiri Okeyim
- Project Officer: Dr Aliyu Makama
- Financial Secretary: Ayodeji Ayansola
- Treasurer: Prince Ade Abiola
- IT Officer: Mr Olusegun Alawaiye
The General Assembly also appointed a new Board of Trustees. All members of the previous BoT were re-elected except for one who had not participated in BoT activities over the past two years. He was substituted by the election of Mr Kazeem Ojoye.
New Board of Trustees:
- Mrs Stephania Alofuokhai-Ghogomu
- Mr Adeyemi Ademuyiwa
- Mrs Mary Bruder
- Mr Peter Oshiomegie
- Mr Kazeem Ojoye
A highlight of the event was the presentation of Certificates of Long Membership to Dr Peter Agwi, Mrs Stephania Alofuokhai-Ghogomu, Mr Adeyemi Ademuyiwa, Mrs Mary Bruder, Mr Larry Bello and Mr Femi Awoniyi.
The successful 2025 AGM and the election of an Executive Committee of dynamic professionals, alongside a Board of Trustees comprising long-standing, committed members, signal that NIDO Germany is poised for organic growth and greater effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.
Femi Awoniyi
About NIDO Germany
NIDO Germany is the German chapter of the global Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO). The mandate of NIDO is to promote the welfare of the Nigerian Diaspora and pursue national development through advocacy, networking, partnerships and bilateral cooperation. Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) is the continental umbrella organisation of all NIDO chapters in Europe with headquarters at the Nigerian High Commission in London.
More on NIDO Germany at www.nido-germany.de
