Gbandi retains Nigerians in Diaspora chairmanship position
By Monday Ijeh
Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe (NIDOE) has re-elected Mr Kenneth Gbandi as Chairman for a two-year second term.
Information on the re-election was released in Abuja, in a statement by Mr Femi Awoniyi, the Media Consultant of NIDOE.
Awoniyi stated that Gbandi was returned unopposed at the biannual election of the organisation held in Vienna.
The election was part of activities lined up for the organisation’s Annual General Meeting.
He explained that Gbandi was the first in the history of NIDOE to be re-elected as chairman since inception of the organisation in 2000.
The media consultant said that the annual general meeting was presided over by Amb. Vivian Okeke, Nigeria’s Envoy to Austria.
He said that others elected at the biannual election are Mr Cornelius Obot as Vice-Chairman, Mr Georgian Opara as Legal Officer, Adeyemi Ademuyiwa as Financial Officer and Vire Komolafe as General Secretary.
Others are Mrs Helen Onwu-Dorkenoo as Treasurer, Fidel Wilson as Assistant General Secretary, Godson Azu as Welfare Officer, Ade Adeyanju as EU Relationship Officer, while Laura Ikeobi and Ponfa Bitrus are Special Duties Officers.
Awoniyi quoted Gbandi as saying “our determination is to ensure that the Diaspora continues to play active role in national development.
“Our activities will include increased efforts to attract foreign investment and development projects to Nigeria to promote economic growth and development and reduce poverty.”
He commended members of the organisation for the trust reposed in him and members of his team.
Gbandi also pledged to consolidate on the achievements of the organisation under his stewardship in the past two years.
He added that the executive council would also give priority to issues of immediate importance to the Diaspora, as well as voting right.
