Nigerians launch Diaspora organisation in Belize
This Saturday Nigerian culture will be on display at the Princess Hotel in Belize City for the launch of the Belize chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO. According to public relations officer Chinonye Achilefu, the group has several purposes, all with the goal of helping their fellow citizens.
Chinonye Achilefu, P.R. Officer, NIDO
“Moreover the organisation also helps us to promote our culture and that is why I have been in this attire this morning, helps us to promote the culture of Nigeria. It also helps us to see to the welfare, both economic and educational background of our people. Some of us are well placed, some of us are privileged or more privilege than others so we also come together to carry along those that will be coming behind us.”
“This association has been in existence since 2000 and we have not had the Belize chapter, so this time around we are going to officially inaugurate the Belize chapter of the association.”
“We have close to three hundred Nigerians in Belize.”
Kendra Griffith
“What draws them to our shores?”
Chinonye Achilefu
“Some of us came in— like me, I came as a volunteer. Some of us came in as volunteers, some came for studies, some came for contract basis. I don’t know whether you are aware of this programme, the Technical and Cooperation Programme between the Belize government and the Nigerian government where the Nigerian government brings in professionals every two years. So most of us came in and maybe at the end of the programme we decided to stay a while here in Belize maybe because we enjoy Belize.”
The general public is also invited to attend the launch on Saturday at the Princess Hotel Queen’s room. The ceremony starts at four p.m. and tickets, at twenty dollars each, can be purchased at the door.
