UK NIDO Chairman Chibuzor: Sir Ubochi is a legal practitioner in London. He serves also on the board of several other companies and NGOs. As a legal practitioner with a broad practice in England and Wales as well as in Nigeria, Sir Ubochi has a keen interest and uses his expertise in ensuring that these organisations grow to their full potential. His first degree in Economics embedded in him a holistic viewpoint when advising on business affairs and law. A passionate Nigerian, Sir Ubochi is committed to Nigeria’s national development and establishes and maintains several developmental projects and programs for the economic and socio-cultural advancement of Nigeria. He is currently the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) UK South and had previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees of NIDO Europe.
Vice-President, Prof. Osinbajo says, ‘’Nigeria has one of the most resilient, hardworking, intelligent and resourceful people in the diaspora, in every field of human endeavor and that it would be very tragic if the nation fails to tap this immense potential’’. What are the plan / strategy to reinforce these words to action?
I totally agree with the Vice President, Prof Osinbajo’s assertion about Nigeria Diaspora. His assertion is in line with NIDO World wide’s objectives. If you will recall, during the 2016 Diaspora Day Celebration which took place from 24 & 26 July 2016 in Abuja, the event title was carefully coined as: « Harnessing the potentials of the Diaspora for National Development. » This was deliberately chosen to indicate our need for an active and structured engagement towards homeland development. If you will further recall, during the Diaspora Day celebration 2017, we carefully chose the theme “Promoting Diaspora Participation and Engagement for National Development.” This was also deliberate and goes to buttress the Vice Presidents assertion about Nigeria Diaspora. I will be happy to share with you the communiqués of this events which I humbly wrote as I was the then Legal Adviser of NIDO Europe and on the legal team of NIDO Worldwide.
Following these systematic progressions, we are happy to now have the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and your question about our plans and strategies to reinforce these words to action now falls at the doorstep of NIDCOM. I look forward to it being populated and for an all-inclusive global Nigeria Diaspora conference where a solid foundation will be laid.
What expectations do you have from the newly created diaspora commission?
As indicated above, my first expectation is for NIDCOM to be properly populated and constituted. I will keep my ears open and await to hear the call for a Global Nigeria Diaspora Conference. From birth, one is expected to sit, then crawl, then stand and then walk and run. So no matter what has been done in the past, my expectation is for an all-inclusive conference where a well-structures modality will be developed for a well harnessed engagement with our beloved country, Nigeria. I look forward to that conference.
How can the diaspora help in the political evolution of Nigeria? Why do you think voting in the diaspora can make Nigeria develop politically?
Referring you back to Diaspora Day 2017; we engaged with the Independent Electoral Commission INEC. NIDO has been leading the demand for Nigeria Diaspora voting rights. I believe that the right to vote and be voted for is the single most important thing that makes one a Nigerian. Take that away from us and we are not Nigerians. As a lawyer, I am a firm believer in the rule of law. I understand the need for the law to be followed. While all stakeholders appears to be in support of Diaspora voting, we must ensure that some laws are amended for Nigeria Diaspora voting to be legally possible. It is my understanding that some of this laws that need amendments are already before the National Assembly.
To answer your question, therefore, our right to vote as Nigerians is Sacrosanct and no one can take it away from us whether it brings development or not. The issue is then that of where that right can be exercised. We say it using modern technology it can be exercised from the comfort of our homes. Nigerians regardless of whether in Diaspora or at home should be able to vote by post of using modern technology. We can be creative and should be. Making the Nigeria Diaspora positively participate in the electoral processes will give them a sense of belonging, a better stake in project Nigeria and inadvertently make them contribute more as they have that feeling of ownership.
54 African countries, including Nigeria, your home country, have agreed to allow the free flow of goods and services, and also the free movement of Africans in Africa. How does this impact on as a Nigerian in the Diaspora who intends to invest back home?
It was a welcomed news when we heard that Nigeria has finally signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). We did not understand the reason for the delay but accepted that our government knows better than we do as we are not politicians. I use this medium to encourage NIDO Africa to seek to find ways how the Nigeria Diaspora specifically those in Africa can leverage this agreement. You are currently interviewing me from Cameroon, I understand Dangote Gruop is in Cameroon and most Central African countries. The world is a global village and Africa must become one community in this global village in order to stand a chance of fighting its corner. Single African countries cannot withstand the negotiating might of the EU, the USA, China etc but with AFCFTA properly constituted and doing what it is meant to do Africa can at last punch at her weight.
Specifically, on your question about Nigeria Diaspora investment back home, it is time for the Federal Government of Nigeria to entice her Diaspora; our homeland has just increased. Nigeria Diaspora can now consider Rwanda, Ghana as “back home”. The Government should welcome us with more incentives. Nigeria Diaspora is now the beautiful bride of all African countries not just Nigeria — laughing. Our remittances may now go to other African countries who provide us with a more enticing offers.
What suggestions would you make to the government to ease its economic diversity program?
Your question has been diverse but I will try to answer this as well. The Government has so far done well on this. It has been said remittances from Nigeria Diaspora to Nigeria in 2018 was worth more than the earnings from oil and gas. This meant the Government may not rely on oil and gas as the only source of its income. The question is if we know where this remittances went into? How was it used? To which sectors of the economy were they applied to. We go back to the question of what I expect from the NIDCOM; I expect statistics. These remittances can be properly harnessed then we can see which areas of the economy are Nigeria Diaspora interested in. Once this is known, then from the Diaspora perspective, we can properly articulate our suggestion on how to ease economic diversity program from an informed position. I will not want to suggest economic diversity just for the sake achieving diversity. Diversity must be made form an informed position considering the opportunity cost, scale of preference and so on.
Consul General Clark-Omeru hosts Nigeria Community
…urges them to be law abiding citizens in host country
The Consul-General of Nigeria to Douala, the Republic of Cameroon, Ambassador (HRM) Queen Efe A. Clark-Omeru has hosted the Nigerian community in the Littoral Region for the second time to show appreciation for relentless services rendering to Nigeria nationals residing in the region of the host country.
It could be recalled that the executive of the Nigerian community paid courtesy visit to the Consulate General in May 2022 to express their maximum appreciation to the Mission who has been helpful in resolving pressing issues with the host country.
According to her speech, the CG welcomed the Nigerian Community executives led by the President, Honourable B.I.C Okwujiaku and provided details of the Consulate progress with the host country over pending issues concerning Nigerian residents in the region.
« It is my pleasure to welcome you to this event of New Year visit/wishes to me and the Consulate, » the statement reads.
« Since my arrival in June 2021, and with the presentation of my Exequatur which I assured you that the Consulate would not rest its oars by ensuring that the issue of molestation will be a thing of past in the history country. The Consulate has met several times with the officials of the immigration of the host country with particular reference to resident permit, exit Visa and the matter was resolved amicably as the immigration rights accorded to members of Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)
region is also accorded to Nigeria due to the already subsisting bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. » The Nigeria CG also highlighted the issues of non-issuance of Resident permits which is a great challenge to Nigerian residents in the Littoral region as it is contrary to it immigration law.
« The issue of non-issuance of Resident Permit has attracted my attention, on that basis, I directed my officers on 10th February 2023, accompanied by the president and some executive members of the Nigerian community to meet with new Commissioner EMI-immigration Madame Gertrude Bikok and the matter was also resolved due to the subsisting bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Consul General was excited to proudly commend the Nigeria community over their successful business activities which were satisfied by the host authorities. But urges her compatriots to be more tolerance of each other and remain law abiding to the host country.
In responding to the CG’s speech, the President of the Nigeria Community, Honourable B.I.C Okwujiaku heaps praise on the first female Consul General in Douala for her breath of peace among Nigerians in the region.
« Last year, we came to say thank you for the ones you have done. We have come again to further demonstrate our joy for your constant support, caring and motherly advise and solidarity to us as your fellow compatriots in Cameroon, » he said.
« History will record it that as the first female Consul General in Douala. Nigerians have benefited from your good leadership and skills of work, » he added.
Also appreciating the CG is Eminent philanthropist, HRH Eze Thomas .J. Onyengubo, Eze Gburugburu 1 of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Cameroon, who also urged the Nigerian community members to remain united and be law abiding to the host country.
From the 18th to the 21st August 2022, the Pastoral Centre St Joseph of Kribi (Cameroon) hosted the 10th edition of what has become an annual ‘rendez-vous’ of capacity building of young Cameroonian Leaders and Entrepreneurs selected on the basis of their civic engagement, professional achievement and patriotic spirit.
Through this Academy, the Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Foundation (PLF) by Go Ahead Africa Ltd has been contributing to the empowerment of hundreds of young people in the fields of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Management.
Held in partnership with some of the most influential stakeholders in the Cameroonian economic ecosystem (Go Ahead Africa Ltd, Groupe SABC, the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK), BGFIBank Cameroon, Balafon Media and Vox Africa); and despite unforeseen circumstances, this 10th edition succeeded to gather forty-six participants (23 boys and 23 girls) aged between 18 and 35 years old under the theme « Challenges and opportunities of youth in a VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) ».
For the Founder of the PLF, Roland KWEMAIN, these young Leaders are true ambassadors of the emergence and prosperity of Cameroon. « Our goal is to train a world class of Young Cameroonian Leaders/Entrepreneurs who are masters of their destiny and resolutely at the service of the emergence of our country and even of our continent, Africa » he said.
During four (4) intense days under the expert guidance of Leadership Coach/Trainer Emile SINGEH and Assistant Coach Perrin KWENKEU, the 2022 batch developed through a tailor-made program: · Leadership and Management Skills · Entrepreneurial spirit · Spirit of Individual Social Responsibility and Active Citizenship · Knowledge and Valorisation of the Great Historical Figures of Cameroon · Appropriation of the Vision of a prosperous Cameroon
During this unique and extraordinary life experience punctuated by short nights (4 hours/day) and intense days of emotions, knowledge acquisition and teambuilding, the participants had the opportunity to meet and learn from their 2 Patrons: · Mr Patrice MELOM (GM PAK) · Mr Cyrille BOJIKO (Founder and CEO Balafon Media Group)
They also had the great opportunity to interact with some of the Leaders and Managers who drive the economic scene. Among them we can name Mr Abakal MAHAMAT (General Manager, BGFIBank Cameroon), Dr Elizabeth FON (General Manager, TESHO), Mrs Arielle WAFFO (General Manager, DKT Cameroon), Mr Dagobert TAHA (Design Thinking Expert), Mrs Pulton ARUNA (Consultant, Corporate Trainer in Management Skills, Customer Care, Food Safety, Quality Management, Training Techniques).
As key part of the program, the participants worked on reinventing the CLA model during the traditional ‘24 heures Chrono’ where they spend 24 hours in a row without sleeping in a journey to better understand (themselves) and learn how to surpass their self-expectations.
As the Cameroon Leadership Academy heads to new starts for its 10 years’ Convention on December, 10th taking with it an annual event that brought together hundreds of young Leaders and Entrepreneurs; it’s worth reflecting on its legacy and on the impact it made during the past ten (10) years that the event grew to empower 850 youth with the mission of training better Leaders in order to build better communities. Emile Désiré SINGEH President, PLF
Du 18 au 21 août 2022, le Centre Pastoral St Joseph de Kribi (Cameroun) a accueilli la 10ème édition de ce qui est devenu un rendez-vous annuel de renforcement des capacités des jeunes leaders et entrepreneurs camerounais sélectionnés sur la base de leur engagement civique, de leur réussite professionnelle et de leur esprit patriotique. Grâce à cette académie, la Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Foundation (PLF), une initiative du cabinet Go Ahead Africa Ltd a contribué à l’autonomisation de centaines de jeunes dans les domaines du Leadership, Entreprenariat et du Management. Organisée en partenariat avec certains des acteurs les plus influents de l’écosystème économique camerounais (Go Ahead Africa Ltd, Groupe SABC, le Port Autonome de Kribi (PAK), BGFIBank Cameroon, Balafon Media et Vox Africa) ; et malgré des cas de force majeure cette 10ème édition a réussi à rassembler quarante-six participants (23 garçons et 23 filles) âgés de 18 à 35 ans sous le thème « Défis et opportunités de la jeunesse dans un environnement VUCA (Volatile, Incertain, Complexe et Ambigu) ». Pour le Fondateur de la PLF, Roland KWEMAIN, ces jeunes Leaders sont de véritables ambassadeurs de l’émergence et de la prospérité du Cameroun. » Notre objectif est de former une classe mondiale de Jeunes Leaders/Entrepreneurs camerounais maîtres de leur destin et résolument au service de l’émergence de notre pays et même de notre continent, l’Afrique » a-t-il déclaré. Pendant quatre (4) jours intenses sous la direction experte du Coach/Formateur en Leadership Emile SINGEH et de l’Assistant-Coach Perrin KWENKEU, la promotion 2022 a développé grâce à un programme taillé sur mesure : -Des Compétences en leadership et Management -L’Esprit d’entreprise -La Responsabilité sociale individuelle et de citoyenneté active -La Connaissance et valorisation des grandes figures historiques du Cameroun -L’Appropriation de la Vision d’un Cameroun prospère
Au cours de cette expérience de vie unique et extraordinaire ponctuée de courtes nuits (4 heures/jour) et de journées intenses en émotions, en acquisition de connaissances et en Teambuilding, les participants ont eu l’occasion de rencontrer et d’apprendre de leurs 2 Parrains :
· Mr Patrice MELOM (DG PAK) · Mr Cyrille BOJIKO (Promoteur et PDG du Groupe Balafon Media)
Ils ont également eu l’occasion d’interagir avec certains des leaders et des managers qui animent la scène économique. Parmi lesquels, nous pouvons citer M. Abakal MAHAMAT (Directeur Général, BGFIBank Cameroun), Dr Elizabeth FON (Directeur Général, TESHO), Mme Arielle WAFFO (Directeur Général, DKT Cameroun), M. Dagobert TAHA (Expert en Design Thinking), Mme Pulton ARUNA (Consultante, formatrice en management, service client, sécurité alimentaire, gestion de la qualité, techniques de formation). Durant le traditionnel « 24 heures Chrono » qui est en réalité l’élément clé du programme, les participants ont passé 24 heures d’affilée sans dormir afin de mieux se connaître et apprendre ainsi à dépasser leurs propres attentes. Pour cette édition, le « 24 heures Chrono » était dédié à réinventer le modèle économique de la CLA. Alors que l’Académie Camerounaise de Leadership s’apprête à prendre un nouveau départ avec la Convention de ses 10 ans le 10 décembre 2022, emportant avec elle un événement annuel qui a rassemblé des centaines de jeunes leaders et entrepreneurs, il convient donc de réfléchir sur son héritage et à l’impact qu’ elle a eu au cours des dix (10) dernières années durant lesquelles l’événement s’est développé et a autonomisé 850 jeunes avec pour principale mission de former de meilleurs leaders afin de construire de meilleures communautés. Emile Désiré SINGEH Président, PLF
Pour plus d’informations sur la Fondation et ses activités, contactez :
The law society, is the student association of the department of English law of the University of Buea, Cameroon. It encompasses all duly registered students of this department. It has been existing since the creation of the university in 1993, and stands out as the largest departmental student association, with about three thousand (3000) students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. With the motto| “integritas veritas justicia” meaning integrity, truth and justice, the main objective of the student association is to maintain a link between the students and the administration. The association is made up of fourteen (14) executives elected through universal suffrage, representing the various levels. The association is headed by the president who together with his/her executive are elected for an unrenewable duration of one (1) academic year. During the course of the year, the association is charged with organizing activities such as moot courts, symposiums, debates, academic interactions etc.
As a student enrolled into the department of English law during the academic year 2019-2020 and consequently became a Bonafide member of the student association. I was then, immediately elected to serve as the class delegate of my class. As the class delegate, I was the representative of the over 700 students admitted as freshmen during that academic year. Due to my diligent service as class delegate, I got elected as vice president of the law society for the academic year 2020-2021. With my experience as class delegate and then vice president, I postulated for the post of president of the law society and eventually won the election in a historic election that saw the law society produce the first female president in its over 23years of existence.
During my tenure of office as president of the Law society, my executives and I, organized a series of activities to the benefit of the students. To promote harmony and enhance a sense of belonging amongst the students, we launched the T-shirt for the department of English law. To be worn by all the students in the department on Wednesdays. Also, to create awareness on sexual harassment which is a common phenomenon in the academic milieu, we organized a symposium that was well attended by officials in the university as well as the various heads of the judiciary in the south west region. To educate the students on how to avoid, overcame and tackle issues related to sexual harassment. We also continued the customary annual activities of the law society such as moot court, academic interactions and the Law society Gala. however, amongst the many activities and events we recorded, was the launching of the gigantic project to construct a Law society coffee stand. This project is aimed at building a spot that will enable law students of the university commune together out of the usual formal environment of the classroom. We equally championed advocacy campaigns at the level of the rectorate and the Nigerian consulate in Cameroon to inquire why Cameroonian students were not being admitted in the Nigerian Law school.