HISTORY OF THE GLOBAL DATABASE OF NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA

When Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) was conceived in the year 2001, one of the major expectations from her, was to create a Databank of Nigerian skills abroad to enable the Nation tap from them in favour of National development.

Indeed the establishment of the Global Database of Nigerians in Diaspora (GDND) was one of the benchmarks on which the success of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation was to be measured. The Management and Board of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe in recognition of her unique position within the Nigerian Diaspora Community and her obligations in engendering accelerated national development created a Committee of Nigerian top Professionals in the Information and Data Industry to take charge of this project. The team, headed by Mr. Sebastian Udeajah, a senior Software Developer and Consultant in Germany, spent over twelve months developing a highly sophisticated Software to house this Database, capable not only of holding millions of records of Nigerians in Diaspora worldwide but also capable of returning results on such enquiries as expertise, skills, profession, country of residence, state of origin et cetera.

With this, the dream of a one-stop shop of the huge reserve of human capital of the Nigerian Diaspora which had remained an illusion, now became reality. NIDO is privileged to be collaborating with the Presidency and the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) at the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation in decisively embarking on this project, which is being facilitated by all Embassies of Nigeria and High Commissions globally.

In a statement from the Presidency, the Global Database was described as a “reference global databank of Nigeria talents abroad” The statement, signed by Ambassador Joe Keshi OON went further “You will recall that from its inception, NIDO was charged with the task of building a database of Nigerian professionals and experts abroad for use both by the Governments of Nigeria and its development partners. Now that NIDO Europe has taken the initiative, it is our hope that all Nigerians in Diaspora, particularly the professionals, will take full advantage of the project and register”

Speaking at the end of a Summit of NIDO Europe Board and its 18 Regional Chapter Representatives in Europe, which took place in Zurich, Switzerland in the year 2007, one of the organisation’s Patrons, Ambassador Joe Ayalogu, opined that “Nigeria as a nation cannot tap into the huge human resource potentials it has in Diaspora and which it needs for sustainable development, if there is no structured arrangement to identify and access it. On the other hand, Nigerians in Diaspora cannot claim as oftentimes is the case, being neglected by, or disconnected from home, if they cannot or will not make themselves known”.

On the 12th of May 2008, NIDO-Europe was registered at the Data Protection Commission in the United Kingdom, permitting her to embark on a project of this magnitude, thereby subjecting the Global Database to regulation by one of the World’s strictest Organs.

On the 21st of February 2009, the Global Database was officially Launched, in a two-day event that ended with a grand Gala Night at the famous Savoy Place overlooking River Thames in London. The Software was unveiled by the Special Guest of honour, The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole CFR. . Engr. Sebastian Udeajah in his presentation gave a full report on different aspects of the Software with special emphasis on several levels of Data security. This triggered a long round of applauds. The Gala Night was attended by Nigerian Ambassadors from over twelve European Countries, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Court of St. James, HE Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, traditional Chiefs, Executives from Nigerian Banks, Hon. Members of the House Committee on Diaspora, Leaders of NIDO from different Continents and representatives from numerous Nigerian Diaspora groups. The event enjoyed unprecedented media coverage in Nigeria, America and in Europe.

At the Launch, speeches were made on behalf of the Hon. Minister for Information and Communication, Mrs Dora Akunyili and the Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe. All applauded this milestone and strongly urged ALL Nigerians abroad to contribute to the success of this project by registering themselves on this Database, declaring the Governments resolute commitment to make this a major reference point while sourcing skilled people outside the Country.

To drive traffic to this dedicated website for this project, www.nigeriandiaspora.org, a unique and highly professional Postcard is being used. The Postcard highlights the benefits of the GDND to the Nigerian Diaspora, inviting them to submit their details online thereby populating the database. An electronic version of the Postcard is also available for dissemination via massive and sustained email blasts to worldwide e-Groups. All Chapters of NIDO shall be involved in efforts to reach every Nigerian in every continent, using same instruments. BEN TV, the most popular African media house in Europe, is offering sponsorship in form of publicity. Tall Drums, in the Americas, is also a media Sponsor of this project. .

The initial success of this project was enhanced by the generous sponsorship from;

Fidelity Bank
Platinum Habib Bank
United Bank for Africa
Ukrkhim Export Limited
Rotex Group

For any further clarification, please contact the General Secretary of NIDO Europe, Collins Nweke on telephone +32 498 345 889 or by email secretariat[at]nidoeurope.org

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