MANZINI – Nigerian nationals living in Eswatini have elected a five-member interim executive committee to oversee their affairs for the next year under the Association of Nigerian Nationals in Eswatini (ANNIES).
The election took place at the association’s office in Manzini on Saturday, following the end of the previous executive’s four-year term. ANNIES is the local chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), a government-recognised body created in 1998 to serve as a bridge between Nigerians abroad and the federal government.
The outgoing president, Kenneth Onyekachi Ihemekwele, said the new interim leadership is tasked with keeping the organisation functional until fresh elections are held next year. He also said the outgoing committee needed to be relieved after years of dedicated service.
Dr. Christopher Osawunyi Imasuen was elected interim president. He is joined by Dr. Oluwaseyi Eunice Bamisaye as General Secretary, Peter Echezona Ogu as Treasurer, Sunday Chukwufunaya as Public Relations Officer, and Waheed Kayode Ibrahim as Financial Secretary.
The association serves more than just the Nigerian community in Eswatini. Many of its members are professionals contributing significantly to both the local and Nigerian economies. Ihemekwele said ANNIES/NIDO also aims to build stronger diplomatic and economic ties between Eswatini and Nigeria.
He recalled that Nigeria had once offered scholarships to Emaswati students interested in studying in Nigeria, but the opportunity was largely ignored, leading to the suspension of the initiative. Nonetheless, he expressed hope that similar opportunities could resurface in the future.
Ihemekwele also noted a growing number of Emaswati currently studying in Nigeria and called on the Nigerian government to consider opening an embassy in Eswatini to strengthen bilateral relations.
Addressing attendees after his election, Dr. Imasuen acknowledged the challenges leading to the interim committee’s formation but urged Nigerian nationals not to lose faith in the association. He encouraged them to utilise the organisation whenever they needed support.
“As president, my team and I will work to ensure unity and peace among Nigerians living in the kingdom,” he said.
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