igerians in Diaspora Organization, from its inception, has been plagued with a 'cancer' that has been allowed to spread all over its body without taking time to prevent its spread. Our people do say that whenever you built a structure with 'saliva', definitely the structure will not last.

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NIDO's first challenge was its leadership. The first installed leader, Dr. Bato Amu, successfully managed to sail through his term. Dr. Amu's successor, Emeka Ugwuonye, started his tenure on a rocky ground for recruiting non-NIDO members to vote for him. Unfortunately the grime of that 'deal' followed him throughout his rocky leadership for NIDO. Unfortunately it ended on a very sour note, and forced him to resign as NIDO Board Chair. It was very hard for Emeka to swallow the bitter pill of firing and took the easy way out of resigning. Part of what Emeka Ugwuonye was advocating for, if he had tolled the right path, could have earned him a very sizeable support from other NIDO members. Unfortunately he allowed his ego to overshadow the reasoning for his success. Dr. Ola Kassim picked up the mantle from Emeka Ugwuonye to soothe NIDO in his own way.

In April 2005, to be precise, April 2, the second day of 'all fools' day', a group of Nigerians gathered at the Nigerian Embassy, Washington, D.C., for the 'AGM'. It took me a while before I could figure out what AGM means, the acronym that has no correlation to NIDO, got me confused.

At the NIDO annual general meeting, things went 'normal' within the context of Nigerian meetings. The conduct of NIDO business, according to my wife, was good this time around. She revealed that the April 2, NIDO meeting was better than the previous one she attended, an indication that things are getting better with NIDO. On the average there is room for improvement considering the caliber of Nigerians that assembled in that meeting? Most of these Nigerians are high ranking professionals in their respective areas of discipline. Nigerian professionals still have a long way to go if Nigeria is going to do better and leave some legacies that our children could be proud of.

The NIDO Chairman, Dr. Ola Kassim in his "State of NIDO Americas: Past, Present and Future", quoted Warren Bennis as his vision for NIDO Americas:

"Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel and that gives their work meaning."

In his address, he mentioned about other matters affecting NIDO. Some of the issues are the challenge on the original NIDO name being changed to "NIDO Americas". The immediate past Chairman, Emeka Ugwuonye, is holding claim to "NIDO". Other accomplishments according Dr. Kassim included NIDO's accomplishments of stabilizing the organization; Creation of more NIDO Chapters and Care Taker Committees, CTC, in Greater Washington, D.C./Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia, Houston (CTC), Greater Toronto Area, the Tri-State - New York/New Jersey/Connecticut (CTC), Arkansas Group (CTC), North Texas (Dallas) (CTC), and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Attendances at some Nigerian Organizations' functions were listed as part of its successes. So also the Town Hall Meeting held in November 2004, Pre-Conference meeting in February 2005, exploration of "several Nigerian organizations to link up with NIDO Americas", and an aged proposal to launch NIDO professional Data Base which is still in the 'deep freezer', which ought to have been the first project of NIDO are among NIDO accomplishments. If you have no knowledge of who you represent how would you address their interest.

Unfortunately the Board is still struggling with the 501(c) 3 status; and at the mercy of the Nigerian Government for financial support.

The poignant part of his address was the rumpus that led to the resignation of Emeka Ugwuonye of which a panel was set up late 2004 and up till the time the meeting was conducted in April 2005, the 5-member committee has not met. There was a huge problem within NIDO that forced out its Chairman. And for the report to show that they did not meet is distressing. Here is part of what the chairman has to say.

"Unfortunately, I have to report that despite the best efforts of Professor Dennis Balogu, and Mrs. Nnena Nnoli, NIDO Secretary General to investigate the issues, the unavailability of the other three panelists for scheduled meetings hindered their ability to complete these investigations."

In the absence of the Committee meeting, the Board Chairman reported that

"…an initial board investigation prior to April 23rd, 2004 had cleared the two NIDO officials of any wrong doing".

On another subject, the Chairman addressed Mr. Jimi Lawal's ineligibility as NIDO member. Jimi Lawal is one of the founding members of NIDO and a Board member since its inception. So also his "good Samaritan" gesture to Emeka Ugwuonye that turned acerbic, eventually affected NIDO operations. The picture was not clear to most members as to the problems some NIDO members have with Jimi Lawal.

In reaction to this puzzlement the Chairman shed some lights on the hazy theme. If we may ask what is this fury about Jimi Lawal? According to the Chairman, in his report he stated that Jimmy Lawal was cleared by the Nigerian Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the chairman would not share the information with the members. Holding brief for Jimi Lawal, in the absence of the Committee set up to investigate the matter, the Chairman declared:

"On the issue of Mr. Jimi Lawal's ineligibility to serve on the NIDO board due to a previous conviction in Nigeria by the Abacha government, I wish to report as follows: That the Supreme Court of Nigeria had in a ruling in September 2004 declared null and void the original conviction by a tribunal set up by the late General Abacha. By so doing the Supreme Court of Nigeria had completely exonerated Mr. Jimi Lawal. This court ruling would seem to make the continuing investigation of Mr. Jimi Lawal's eligibility to serve on the NIDO board a moot point. The final decision regarding the continuing investigation of Mr. Jimi Lawal by the "Balogu Panel" will be reserved for the incoming Board."

Regrettably, NIDO Board chair never shared the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling on Jimi Lawal with the gathering when asked. My source revealed that Dr. Ola Kassim, NIDO Board Chair never shared the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling with the NIDO Board members either. The only information that NIDO Board was cognizant of was a newspaper précis of the Supreme Court ruling. NIDO Board could at least make reference to the Government Gazette where people could find the information.

If Dr. Kassim story is true, I would be the first to congratulate Jimi Lawal at least for clearing his name. Non one should take kindly any deliberate attempt to tarnish his or her image. It would foreclose the matter if Jimi Lawal, could write an official letter to NIDO Board with the Supreme Court ruling to completely exonerate him. Good name is better than tons of diamond or gold, so our elders would say. In addition, Jimi Lawal would enjoy his new assignment with Mr. Minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufai as his Special Adviser.

A couple of observation that I could not just allow to mellow if NIDO would move forward will be highlighted below in the areas of the Candidates, the voters, and the process.

One of the disturbing issues was a candidate from New York that was supposed to be on the ballot for his region. According to my investigation, this young man was oozed out of the election by deliberately delaying the release of the closing date for the candidates to file for the election. According to him, he was the one that paved way for the only lady candidate from New York. He was supposed to contest for the second slot for his Region. By the time he knew bout the deadline, it was too late to register for the election. This is not unusual in the Nigerian community, where candidates' names would disappear on the election eve in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that such crude practice is brought to NIDO. Is that a growth or retardation? The young man, as usual was going to resolve into physical expression of his sentiment against NIDO Chairman. He later came back to apologize to the group. The point here is that Nigerians in Diaspora (Refugees) could not be honest with one another on such a matter, with all the exposures. The question then is when or how are we going to make a meaningful, stainless, transparent, contribution to Nigeria in the area of development? Are we going to remain in hell that Obasanjo placed on us a couple of years back?

My second observation was about the electorates, voters, or NIDO members. I believe there is a law that allows members to cast their votes for any candidate. It is unfortunate, and very sad that inactive members of a region attended the meeting purposely to cast their votes for their candidate. That was the same allegation levied against Emeka in 2003 when he was suspected to have brought nine individuals to vote for him.

Ironically, it happened from my region, Atlanta, Georgia. This is very distressing and regrettable because the Coordinators never allowed the members to adequately screen the candidates' for this position, which could not be done through any commercialized meeting. We might ask Obasanjo his experience at the live conference he had in his early first term watched all over the world. Those that are not regular NIDO members would show up just to cast their votes in Washington, D. C. as members of Atlanta Region. Is NIDO turning to something else, beyond humanity services, or for what individuals would get out from it? May be I am in another world on this subject of non-profit organization, from my 'Outlook'. They might have paid their dues but to show up only on 'special occasions leave much to be desired. What about those that work very hard on a regular basis and was disallowed the opportunity to utilize their skills for the benefit of the 'needy'.

Sometimes people, who throw rocks, forgot that they live in glass houses as well. I would think that the coordinators were tricked by requesting to bring as many people as possible from the chapter to boost the attendance from Atlanta, Georgia.

The other observation is the absentee and proxy balloting. The Chairman was clever enough to have brought the amendment to the By-Law allowing for absentee and proxy balloting. I smelled that big rat immediately I saw the amendment at the meeting that something was fishing. Amendment E: Absentee and Proxy Balloting-Nominations and Voting: Section 5.01, Purpose: "To provide greater participation in the electoral process given the organization's geographic scale." Plain language summary:

"Creation of a provision for absentee and proxy voting and nominations for future election cycles provided that the infrastructure and logistics are in place to carry out the exercise without serious irregularities. A committee would be set up to develop and manage the protocol for the absentee and/or proxy voting".

When it was time to vote, Canada came last for its members, and Jimi Lawal, who was not at the meeting, was believed to have been the target of the amendment. The excuse given for his absence was that

"Jimi's flight from Abuja was cancelled. Electoral Committee decided to leave his name on the ballot despite his absence due to extenuating circumstances."

In 2000 when this matter was debated the then Ambassador, Professor Jibril Aminu ruled that in order to vote or be voted for an individual must be present at the meeting. That policy was imbedded into the NIDO By-Laws.

Areas that needed amendments in the By-laws were never touched, especially Chapter Eight; Office of Legal Advisor, Section 8.01. It reads:

"The Board of Directors shall appoint a lawyer admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Bar of the Higher Court of any State in the United States of America, to act as the Legal Advisor. Such person shall possess experience in the practice of law."

Was the By-law guidelines followed as to the process of By-Law amendments? This is what the by-laws say in terms of amending the by-laws. Chapter Eleven Sections 11.01, 11.02., 11.03 clearly state the need for anyone proposing an amendment to give the notice for such proposal, which

"shall include in the Notice for the next General Meeting a notice to the effect that an amendment of the specified portions of the Founding Document shall be tabled at the General Meeting."

The other issue that is distancing some Nigerians from NIDO is its strong scrounging hold by the Federal Government of Nigeria. As a 'not-for-profit' organization in the United States, NIDO should NEVER be the fourth arm of any government. It should be independent of the home government. Any government can support NIDO's cause, but not financing or housing the organization. That is one of the issues that would make the Chairman to run to the Nigerian Embassy each time there is a matter to be addressed instead of turning to his fellow Board members. The regional Chapters are not better off either. The Atlanta Regional has been an advocate of promoting the Consulate Office for any public service. Whereas Atlanta Consulate staff is well spruce and provide good service to its community.

The Nigerian Consulate or the Embassy has their responsibilities of representing the home government, while taking care of the multitude of Nigerians in Diaspora and their communities where they are located. They are up to the task per my observation. If NIDO is truly going to be an umbrella organization for Nigerian Organizations in the Americas, the umbilical cord of financing the organization should stop. The Board members are partially responsible to look for funding to run NIDO. Hopefully Dr. Joe Igietseme, NIDO Secretary, would succeed in his campaign promise to work on this area for funding from other sources. NIDO should position itself to be a respectable umbrella Nigerian organization, not under the tutelage of Nigerian government. That was one of the points raised by the immediate past Chairman Emeka Ugwuonye, which Nigerians in Diaspora should agreed with 100%.

Holding of the meeting at the Nigerian Embassy, or even housing the NIDO office under that could be morally wrong. When one of the Embassy staff, Dr Orjiakor representing Prof. Obiozor, Nigeria's ambassador to the USA, mentioned at the meeting about the Embassy's kind gesture of hosting the meeting, some disagreed. I believe that the Embassy was doing NIDO a favor. What is NIDO doing at the Embassy; this 'Santa Claus' treatment by the Nigerian Government should be winding down, and allow 'individuals' to grow. Nigerians in the Americas should not allow Nigerian Government to control NIDO. NIDO is a non-profit organization, which by law in the United States of America should not be controlled or influenced by the Nigerian government. It is not an arm of the Federal Government. Nigerians in Diaspora should be very conscious of the fact that any Non-government organization formed should have nothing to do with the home government in terms of funding and control. It is absolutely unacceptable.

When asked to give financial report, the treasurer came with no single copy for the members to read along with him. The suggestion to make copies in the Embassy felt into his deaf ears. That shows some evidence of irresponsibility. What does NIDO Board expect for its Regional members to report to the 'grassroots' of NIDO? Is that how to give financial report without seeing what is in the book? If that was how the NIDO Board conduct its businesses in their respective professions, it absurd to say the least. What is hiding with that financial report could be a wrong signal to NIDO's progress. NIDO has a paid Director that ought to have been provided with all the reports. The paid officer was not given the opportunity to make a presentation on the state of NIDO administration where solid questions could have been asked.

Washington DC would always be involved in controversies as long as they do not put their acts together, the city full of intellectuals, but embroiled in controversies. A chapter issue was brought to the meeting for NIDO to resolve. They would not be decent about the presentation of their issue to the gathering.

Dr. Ola Kassim maintains his Chairmanship, Dr. Joe Igietseme is the new Secretary, to move NIDO forward. It is expected for the Regions to conduct their respective elections to usher in a new set of Coordinators or representatives.

The results of the Board elections are:

Ms. Adejumoke Akin-Taylor--3 year tenure, slot two is vacant ---2 year tenure for Region One - North Eastern States of Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.

Mr. Ezem Ajeroh--3 year tenure, and Mr. Martin Akindana--2 year tenure represent Region Two - the Atlantic Seaboard States of Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia.

Representing Region Three from South Eastern States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, are Mr. David Onu--3 year tenure and 2. Dr. Joe Igietseme, --2 year tenure.

Region Four of Great Lakes States of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota. Are Robert Ngwu, and Mr. Tony Okafor.

Region Five of Mid Wes/South Central States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana are Prof. Dennis Balogu,--3 year tenure and Mr. Eghosa Edebor--2 year tenure.

Region Six of Pacific/Rocky Mountain States of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii, will be Nnenna Nnoli, and Ms Molly Uzoh

Region Seven of Canada Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan. Are Dr. Ola Kassim, and Mr. Jimi Lawal

While Region Eight of Caribbean/South/Central American Countries of Mexico, Ecuador, Bermuda, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Guyana, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, etc. Dr. Emma Okpalaugo,--3 year tenure and a vacant position---2 year tenure.

What is in future for Nigerians in Diaspora in the Americas? NIDO Americas should have the answer. Hopefully the current NIDO Board would be able to re-enforce its structures for its sustainability.