~ Titus O. Olowokere
President, Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia
Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia (ANOG) host Professor Attahiru Jega
The Nigerian Community in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, under the auspices of the Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia (ANOG) gave a rousing reception to The Honorable Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria, Professor Attahiru Jega last weekend in Atlanta, GA. Prof. Jega delivered the keynote address at the International Symposium on Managing Conflicts in Africa’s Democratic Transitions organized by the Center for Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA.
In his speech, Prof. Jega described the recently concluded elections in Nigeria, as a product of hard work, careful planning, political maturity of the electorate as well as the determination of Nigerians for sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria. While acknowledging the international community’s reference to the recently concluded elections as the freest, fair and most transparent elections in the history of the country, he conceded that the electoral process was not yet at a perfect state. Lessons learned from these elections have been gathered, and will help improve the dynamics of the next elections.
In response to questions from the audience, he confirmed that Nigerians in Diaspora could not have participated in the last election, due to time constraints and daunting logistics to put the infrastructure in place at that time. However, the Commission will be working towards making this a reality in future elections, to ensure that all Nigerians are able to exercise their civic responsibility with a sense of belonging and dignity. He admitted, in response to another, that the Commission anticipated and prepared to curtail violence on the election days at electoral booths and collation centers, but did not anticipate any post-election violence, as occurred in sporadic spots.
The acting Consul General at the Nigerian Consulate Office, Atlanta, Hon. Baba Garba, welcomed the INEC Chairman and praised him for his service to the Nation.
Earlier on, the President of the Nigerian Community in Georgia (ANOG), Engr. Titus Olowokere, in his address, commended the INEC Chairman for restoring confidence in the Nigerian electoral process, for restoring hope in Nigerians in Diaspora, for not ‘selling’ our votes, for making the votes count and for laying a good legacy for future electoral process in Nigeria.
The Nigerian community in Georgia made a presentation to Prof. Attahiru Jega in appreciation of his services to the Community. Other dignitaries that attended the one-day symposium include Prof. Akanmu Adebayo, Interim Director, Center for Conflict Management, KSU, Prof. Joseph Igietseme of CDC, Ms. Ilona Tip (Acting Director, Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa (EISA)
Johannesburg, South Africa), Prof. Ike Okosun of Georgia State University, Prof. Martin Okafor, Dr. Ezekiel Macham, President of Zumunta Organization and Mr. Wole Adewoyin, President of Obafemi Awolowo Alumni Association Alumni Association, USA.
The Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia (ANOG) is the apex organization of Nigerians in Georgia, helping Nigerians in Georgia build a positive image of their country, and representing the single, unified voice of all non-profit Nigerian associations in Georgia, USA, across community, tribal, ethnic, educational, social, political and economic lines.
ANOG is the collective effort to have an inclusive Nigerian community in Georgia, add value to community relationships, foster unity and encourage peaceful, collaborative, mutually supportive co-existence among Nigerians resident in Georgia.
~ Titus O. Olowokere
President, Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia
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