Speech by HM The Queen at theOpening Ceremony of CHOGM 200927
NovemberPort of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago



Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe and his spouse greet Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at CHOGM 2009
President Richards, Prime Minister Manning, President Museveni, Secretary-General, Ladies and Gentlemen,This diamond anniversary year is an important time for the Commonwealth to look back – and, more importantly, look forward. In doing so, I believe we can be pleased with how far the Commonwealth has come in its 60 years, and yet how true it has remained to its origins. But this does not mean we should become complacent or rest on past successes. Like any good organization we must continue to pay close attention to the things that give it distinctive character

St Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves (r) chats with South African President Jacob Zuma at CHOGM 2009

In my view one of the core strengths of the Commonwealth lies in the commitment to common goals and values. Our shared pledge to “the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress” that my father helped to enshrine in the London Declaration in 1949 means as much today as it did then. We cherish freedom, democracy and development as dearly as ever.

South African President Jacob Zuma and his wife Gertrude arrive for the opening ceremony of CHOGM

But the Commonwealth’s strength lies as much in people as it does in values. Few other global organizations can boast the same rich diversity of humankind and yet also such a commonality of spirit

The Commonwealth can be proud of the fact that in each of its six decades, it has shaped the international response to emerging global challenges

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and his wife Salma greet Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma

And on this, the eve of the UN Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, the Commonwealth has an opportunity to lead once more. The threat to our environment is not a new concern. But it is now a global challenge which will continue to affect the security and stability of millions for years to come. Many of those affected are among the most vulnerable, and many of the people least well able to withstand the adverse effects of Climate Change live in the Commonwealth.A second area of opportunity for the Commonwealth is nurturing its young people. As with environmental challenges, this area is not new; but while the Commonwealth may rightly celebrate reaching its 60th anniversary, the future of this association lies with the one billion who are under 25 years of age. The Commonwealth must show that it is relevant to and supportive of our young people who need to be convinced that the Commonwealth can help them to realize their ambitions.

Outgoing chairperson-in-office Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, chats with Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at CHOGM 2009 in Port of Spain

Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, it is a pleasure for me to be back in Trinidad and Tobago, and in the Caribbean. This region is dear to the Commonwealth.For small island states, the buffeting of the economic storms of the last twelve months has provided a stern test; and great resourcefulness has been shown in order to meet the challenge. As an organization the Commonwealth must remain dedicated to building resilience among its smaller members.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his wife Janet arrive for the opening ceremony of CHOGM 2009

But it is not enough to look within the boundaries of the Commonwealth. In a world where political, economic and environmental problems and opportunities cross continents, the Commonwealth will also need to prove its relevance beyond its own borders and develop a truly global perspective.The motto of Trinidad and Tobago says: ‘Together we aspire, together we achieve’. There could be no better description of the Commonwealth’s ethos and no better guideline for achieving this CHOGM’s stated goal of a more equitable and sustainable future

The Tanzania president arriving for the opening ceremony

I hope the leaders here present – informed by the Commonwealth Youth Forum, the People’s Forum and the Business Forum held earlier this week – can map out the route for another sixty years of success

R-L. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, St Vincent & The Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham chat at CHOGM 2009

Group photo with H.M THE QUEEN

And with these challenges in mind I am delighted to declare open this twentieth meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen at Commonwealth SUMMIT

Maisha Dar es salaam -Tanzania(Mitaa ya Buguruni)

CHOGM UPDATE:
Energy Sector, Business Linkages, Trinidad, Ghana and Nigeria.
A Business Roundtable will be held in the Board Room near the Conference Center on the Serenade of the Seas. on the Energy Sector, Business Linkages, Trinidad, Ghana and Nigeria. At 10 Am - 25th November 2009Speakers Include:Sen Hon conrad Enill, Minister of Energy & Energy Industries, Trinidad & TobagoHon Emmanauel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy, GhanaThe Rt Hon UDuimo J Itsueli, Presidednt of the Nigerian Petrolium association.Dax Driver, CEO, South Trinidad ChamberFor More Information
Please contact Sean Leno, Cell: 465 2948
Aplogies for the Short Notice...

CLOSING MEDIA CONFERENCE
Commonwealth People's Forum
4.30 PM, 25 November 2009
Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s Trinidad
Civil Society of the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth Foundation invite you to the Closing Media Conference of the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) at 4.30 pm, Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s.The news conference will present civil society’s recommendations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on topics of: environment and climate change, the economic crisis, human rights, HIV and AIDS, creativity and innovation, gender, peace and conflict, deepening democracy and governance.It will also report on the preliminary presentation of the CPF statement to Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth.Civil society from around the Commonwealth who participated in the CPF will be present.For further information:Contact: Marcie Shaoul 868 378 6395Dr Kris Rampersad 868-390-9367

OPENING OF ART & CRICKET HERITAGE MUSEUM

The “ART & CRICKET” Media Tour is carded to take place on Wednesday November 25, 2009 from 6.00p.m. to 9.00p.m at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.
All interested media personnel are requested to gather at the Ministry of Tourism Booth at CHOGM Village for 6.00pm for departure by buses that will be stationed on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain in close proximity to the Hyatt.

A unique combination of visual art, culture and sporting history the tour begins with a guided vehicular tour of the artistic expressions on the People’s Canvas Wall of the Oval, includes a visit to the new Cricket Heritage Museum, and concludes with an exciting Cultural Showcase of Trinidad and Tobago culture.

Some of our local and regional cricketing greats, including Brian Charles Lara, will be on hand to meet and interact with you in person. Popularly known as the “Prince of Port of Spain”, Brian Charles Lara is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Remarkably, he is the only batsman to have ever scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century and a quintuple century in first class games over the course of a senior career.

We really do hope that you will be able to attend our “ART & CRICKET” Media Tour on November 25.
Attached is a brochure containing detailed information on all of the media tours on offer for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as well as a Registration Form.



THE NIGERIA MISSION IN OYSTERBAY ,DAR ES SALAAM TANZANIA

Meet the Nigeria High commissioner in Tanzania H.E ISHAYA SAMAILA MAJANBU

The mission is located at 83 Haile Selassie Road,po box 9214v,Oysterbay ,Dar es salaam , Tanzania.

Ayoub mzee paid a courtesy call .Watch the interview with .H.E on Monday the 30th november 2008 on BEN TV SKY CHANNEL 184

The work of the Nigeria High Commission is to co-ordinate, promote and protect the national interests of Nigeria within the United Kingdom in ways that contribute to the enhancement of Nigeria's security and socio-economic prosperity.
Duties conducted by the Embassy include:
Consular and Welfare matters, Immigration affairs, Legal and Education, Bilateral Political and Multilateral Relations, Trade and Economic Affairs as well as information dissemination. And all general enquiries to assist Nigerian residents in Tanzania and the general public.

Economy Overview
Nigeria has a dual economy with a modern segment dependent on oil earnings, overlaid by a traditional agricultural and trading economy. At independence in 1960, agriculture accounted for well over half of GDP, and was the main source of export earnings and public revenue. The oil sector, which emerged in the 1960's and was firmly established during the 1970's, is now of overwhelming importance to the point of over-dependence: it provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. Competition between ethnic and regional groups for power and access to the country's oil wealth has been at the root of politics in Nigeria.
The largely subsistence agricultural sector has not kept up with rapid population growth. Nigeria, once a large net exporter, now imports food though the Administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has introduced far-reaching policy initiatives to reverse this trend and attain national food self-sufficiency. Based on GNP per capita, Nigeria is among the world's 20 poorest countries. Economic growth since the early 1970's has been erratic, driven primarily by the fluctuations of the global oil market. During the 1980's and 1990's Nigeria faced growing economic decline and falling living standards, a reflection also of political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management (most notably the failure to diversify the economy).
Fundamental economic reforms were introduced by the Administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo which resulted in a stable macro-economic environment, including debt relief. A major debt deal led to massive reduction in Nigeria's debt from over US$36 billion in 2004 to a mere US$3.6 billion in 2008. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has intensified economic reforms on the basis of the foundation laid by his predecessor. Between 2004-2008, the country's GDP grew two-fold to $209.5 billion and at an impressive rate of 7%. This was the best performance for many years, above the regional average of 6%.
The country's GDP recorded an average growth rate of 6.3% between 2006 and 2008. This was largely fuelled by the growth of the non-oil sector, including the phenomenal increase in the price of crude oil before the sharp decline of 2008, made worse by the global economic meltdown.
GDP growth rate is projected at 5% in 2009 while non-oil GDP is expected to remain at 6.3% by the end of 2009.
According to the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, inflation declined steadily from 15.1% at the end of 2008 to 11.1% at the end of July 2009.
Labour market and unemployment
With an estimated 60 mn Nigerians unemployed at the end of 2000, unemployment is one of the countries most pressing problems.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
This sector has suffered a relative decline because of the dominance of oil in the economy, but it still accounts for 33% of GDP (2005) and provides employment, both formal and informal, for a large majority of the population. Attempts to revive agriculture have been largely unsuccessful. Although Nigeria previously had a strong export sector, the range and quantity of products has declined sharply: in the early 1990's only cocoa and some rubber and palm products were being exported. Cash crops include cocoa, rubber (nearly all exported), coffee, cotton and palm kernels. The palm oil sector, which was a foreign exchange earner in the 1970's, is being redeveloped.
Agriculture is still dominated by traditional smallholders raising subsistence crops such as sorghum, maize, cassava, yams, millet, rice and increasing quantities of wheat (up to 70% of which is for their own consumption). Arable potential has been put at 25% of total area, of which about 12% is cultivated.
Plantations and commercial agriculture sometimes owned by, or in partnership with, multinational corporations, are gaining ground in producing good crops and raw materials for company use (e.g. grain for breweries). Irrigation schemes, higher producer prices, the expansion of credit and improvements in the rural infrastructure are beginning to show results. Livestock farming is important, and poultry farming is rapidly increasing.
Industry and manufacturing
The industrial sector contributed 4.8% to GDP in 1998 and employed 8 % of the workforce. Emphasis has shifted towards more low-cost, integrated, high value-added industries which rely on local rather than imported raw materials and capital goods, and on shifting production away from Lagos. Although it has benefited since 1985 from lower exchange rates, industry is still vulnerable because of the high proportion of imports among its inputs. Manufacturing is dominated by light consumer goods and is oriented towards import substitution. The adverse general situation in the country and low demand has pushed the estimated capacity utilization rate below 30%. Beverages, textiles, cigarettes, food processing and soaps continue to account for over 60 % of total manufacturing output.
Mining and semi-processing
Nigeria used to be one of the largest producers of tin in the world, with production based around the highland district of Jos. Production collapsed from an average of 10,000 tonnes per year in the 1970's to 300 tonnes in 1995. Tin reserves are estimated at 16,000 tonnes. Independent estimates place iron ore reserves at 800 million tonnes, averaging 37 % metal content. Iron ore mining began in 1984 and 1989 reported a stockpile of over 500,000 tonnes. By 1997, it was unlikely that iron output was more than 50,000 tonnes per year. Iron ore deposits are being exploited with the long-term aim of supplying the requirements of the national steel industry. Deposits of uranium, lead, zinc, tungsten and gold are not yet exploited. There are 65 sites in Nigeria where gold has been located. By mid-1999, field appraisals had recommended nine as being ready for exploitation.
The petroleum sector is the mainstay of the economy, contributing 36% to annual GDP, 75% to government revenues and accounting for virtually all foreign exchange earnings. At end-1998, total oil reserves were estimated at 22.5 bn barrels, sufficient to give close to another 30 years of output. Nigeria ranks as the sixth largest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and by far the largest in Africa.
Proven and probable reserves of natural gas stood at 3.5 trillion cu metres (124 trillion cu feet) at end-1998. Natural gas production in 1998 was 5.2 bn cu metres (184.6 bn cu feet), a rise of 0.9 % on 1997 output. The US$569m Escravos gas project became Nigeria's first gas exporter in 1997. A West African gas pipeline, at an estimated cost of US$260m is planned, which will supply natural gas from the Escravos field to Togo, Benin and Ghana.
The US$4bn Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Scheme, Africa's single biggest engineering project, started producing liquefied natural gas at the plant at Bonny Island, near Port Harcourt, in 1999, then civil unrest in the Niger Delta region interrupted production. However, the new approach adopted by President Yar’Adua's Administration in resolving the Niger Delta crisis has started to have a positive impact on peace and oil production in the area. By August 2009, Nigeria's oil production has reached the 1.7 million bpd, this being the country's OPEC quota; having fallen to barely 1 million bpd in the last year.
Government finance and fiscal policy
In 1995 the government made a move towards deregulation of the economy. More recently it has followed up with earlier promises of privatization and exchange-rate reform. The two-tier exchange rate system was abolished by the government in January 1999 and the price of petrol was reduced by 20%; in May 1999 a bill was passed to pave the way for the privatization of major utilities. The country is now undergoing substantial economic reform under the new civilian administration, but is at a crossroads in its economic policies, facing a choice between further liberalization and greater reliance on the private sector, or remaining dependent on the public sector. By 2001 Nigeria's wide-ranging privatization scheme was behind schedule, it had failed to reach agreed policy targets set with the IMF, and the IMF had expressed concerns over the expansionary 2001 budget. Opposition due to the loss of sources of patronage is considered to be an important factor in the slow pace of privatization.
In January 2001, the government announced a new poverty reduction programme the Poverty Eradication Scheme to which US$231m was allocated. The existing Poverty Alleviation Programme introduced in 2000 had fallen far short of its aim to create a total of 200,000 new jobs.
Foreign Aid and Donors
Nigeria has a major debt problem - at the end-1997 it stood at $28.5bn, representing 76% of GNP and 157% of annual export earnings; at the end of March 2001 the IMF estimated debt to have reached US$32,3bn. As part of external debt management, there was a major clampdown on the issue of new foreign loans by government ministries. By December 2000, foreign reserves had reached US$9.26bn, representing seven months of import cover. By June 2008, Nigeria's external reserves, which soared to $54 billion in November 2008, had declined to $43.46 billion. The decline arose from the current global economic meltdown, phenomenal drop in the price of crude oil and supply disruptions from the activities of militants in the Niger Delta region.
During the course of 2000 the Paris Club agreed to reschedule US$23.4bn of Nigeria's debt, with effect from April 2001, on condition that the government keeps to its agreed IMF reform programme, resulting in the major breakthrough in debt cancellation in 2005.
The Department of International Development (DfID) is responsible for the delivery of UK bilateral assistance to Nigeria. Nigeria is the ninth largest recipient of British bilateral aid, and has thus received relatively little assistance from Britain, compared to the average of sub-Saharan Africa. DfID programme in Nigeria was worth £35 million in 2003/2004, reaching £100 million in 2007/2008 and substantially to £120 million in 2009/2010. This is directed at three main themes: governance, including transparency and accountability; non-oil growth in trade and agriculture; service delivery, particularly for health and education services. Other major aid donors include the USA, the EU, Japan and China.

photos:Ayoub mzee
Coming soon!!The new horizon of Tanzania

AFRICA HEADS OF STATE ARRIVING FOR THE 12TH AU SUMMIT IN ADDIS ABBABA

uGANDA PRESIDENT MEETS SUDAN'S CHIEF EL BASHIR

Smart Partnership Dialogue in Kampala Uganda

Photos: PPU

PRESS RELEASE - EMBARGOED

Commonwealth must be bold to halt declining profile

As world leaders gather for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), a new global public consultation shows that the association risks fading into irrelevance unless leaders take bold action.

Conducted to mark the association’s 60th anniversary, The Commonwealth Conversation has so far engaged tens of thousands of people across almost all of its 53 member states via online and offline activities.

The emerging findings of the Conversation are published today by the Royal Commonwealth Society in a report entitled “Common What?”.

The report presents evidence that the Commonwealth has a worryingly low profile amongst the public and many policymakers. Less than one third of people in the Commonwealth could name anything the association does and the majority of those could cite only the Commonwealth Games. Many policymakers who took part in the consultation struggled to identify any area in which the Commonwealth clearly and distinctively adds value. Those working within Commonwealth organisations seem frustrated that the association is being neglected by member governments and lacks an ambitious vision for its future.

Research for the Conversation suggests that the Commonwealth is more often valued by Anglophiles and those who are nostalgic for an imperial past, than those committed to the internationalist values of the association. The report suggests that rebuilding the Commonwealth’s profile is a critical and urgent challenge. It recommends a renewed focus on:

Principles. There is widespread confusion about what the Commonwealth stands for today. Adherence to the values it purports to uphold is patchy at best. Its principles must be re-articulated in a way that captures public imagination, clearly distinguishes the Commonwealth from other international bodies, and directly informs its work in meaningful ways.

Priorities. While the Commonwealth does good work in many areas, it is seen as spreading itself too thinly, diluting its impact and identity. There are consistent calls for it to focus on where it can add value in a crowded international marketplace of organisations. The Commonwealth must identify and deploy its unique strengths if it is to thrive in the 21st century.

People. The Commonwealth’s network of civil society organisations is unparalleled. Yet, many of these bodies urgently need to engage a younger generation or risk dying out. They must become more innovative, more coordinated and better-resourced.

Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, said: “This is a wake up call for the Commonwealth. After 60 years of fantastic work, the Commonwealth has to choose between quietly retiring or boldly revitalising itself for the 21st century. Leaders meeting in Trinidad this week need to do more than issue long communiqués. They need to convince a new generation unfamiliar with the Commonwealth that this association can tackle global challenges in a meaningful way.”

Among thousands of contributions to the Conversation, the following said:

Rt Hon. Malcom Fraser, former Prime Minister of Australia: “If the Commonwealth is to survive as an effective organisation, it should not be shy and retiring.”

Dame Kelly Holmes, President of Commonwealth Games England: “I think the Commonwealth isn’t known that much to the younger generation. We need to talk about the Commonwealth in a more positive light.”

Imran Khan, Pakistani cricketer and politician: “[The Commonwealth] is a historical thing but I don’t know if it is of any direct benefit to Pakistan. It should be more of an effective forum.”

H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President of Kenya: “We don't hear the voice of the Commonwealth loud enough. It is a very well established body but I do feel that it needs a sense of renewal.”

ART IN THE HEART OF LONDON

TANZANIA UHURU CELEBRATIONS 2009

Call for Applications

Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders
“Africa and the Global Economy: Creating Opportunities and Development Strategies”
Berlin, 17th –23rd January, 2010

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to announce the dates of the forthcoming Weeklong Seminar for the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy’s program “Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders” (CDA), which will take place in Berlin from 17th – 23rd January 2010.

The program for the Seminar is split into two parts, beginning with group workshops, seminars, and lectures from 17th – 20th January. These components will be followed by an international conference on development in Africa from 21st – 23rd January.

The forthcoming Weeklong Seminar is entitled “Africa and the Global Economy: Creating Opportunities and Development Strategies”, and will explore the following themes:

Africa’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.
The role of public-private- partnerships in supporting development within Africa, with a focus on the “Energy-Poverty- Action” initiative.
The role played by "economic bridges" in ensuring national and regional stability and the role young leaders can play in supporting these bridges.
New strategies for progress in healthcare, education, and water management.
The involvement of international partners in African development projects and the African economy.

The Rise of Africa: An International Conference on New Strategies and Approaches to Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa (21st – 23rd January) will take place as an integral part of the Weeklong Seminar, and will bring together expert speakers from the fields of politics, academia, and civil society for a 3 day program of lectures and panel discussions.
Who can apply?
The CDA Weeklong Seminar is open to applications from students and young professionals with an active interest in the African continent and international affairs.

What will the Weeklong Seminar involve?
The program for the Weeklong Seminar will consist of lectures, seminars, workshops, and cultural activities in and around Berlin. The participants will meet with leading figures from the fields of economics, politics, academia and civil society to discuss the role of economic interdependence and cultural exchange in strengthening and supporting relations within African and between Africa and other regions.

Speakers at previous Weeklong Seminars included representatives from the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Parliament, the European Commission, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), KfW Development Bank, and the Embassies of Lesotho, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt, Mozambique and Malawi in Berlin.

What are the aims of the Weeklong Seminar?
The Seminars aim to prepare the participants for the development of their own activity that will strengthen intercultural relations within African and between Africa and other regions. The program will also aim to raise awareness amongst the group of salient issues relating to politics, development, and the economy within African.

What happens after the Seminar?
After completing the Weeklong Seminars the participants become members of the CDA Forum. They are then supported by the ICD in conducting research, in organising and developing leadership initiatives, and are invited to join the ICD Online Forum where they can network with the other Young Leaders from around the world.

More information about the Seminar, including brochures, timetables, and the online application forms, can be found under: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/cda

For questions relating to the Weeklong Seminar, please contact us under mailto:cda@culturaldiplomacy.org

We look forward to hearing from you,

With warm regards,

Katharina Müller

Managing Director
Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
Ku´damm Karree (3rd Floor/Hochhaus)
Kurfürstendamm 207-8, 10719 Berlin, Germany
Phone: 00.49.(0)30. 2360-7680
Fax: 00.49.(0)30. 2360-76811
mailto:cda@culturaldiplomacy.org

CHOGM-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

NEWLY ELECTED NIDOE BOT MEMBERS
Dear Nidoe UK South members,

following the Nidoe Annual General Meeting and election into the Board of Trustee elections that took place on saturday the 14th of november 2009 in Paris, France, the following individuals have been elected into the BOT Nido European level. The Executive Committee of Nidoe UK South chapter congratulate them all and wish them all a sucessful tenure.


Chairman - Mr. Alistair Soyode UK
Vice-Chair - Dr. George A. Manuwuike Ukraine
General Secretary - Mr. Benson Osawe UK
Asst. Gen. Secretary - Mr. Philip Ebalu Switzerland
Financial Officer - Mr. Felix Nwabuko UK
Treasurer - Mr. Kalu Okoroafor France
EU Relationship Officer - Ms. Lola Visser-Mabogunje Netherlands
PR & Media Officer - Ms. Stephania A.A. Alofuokhai Ghogomu Germany
Social, Welfare, and Event Officer - Dr. Ezechi Chukwu Italy

The attendance of the AGM in Paris was representative of the 19 chapters of NIDOE.

Moreover, in attendance were the following representatives of the Federal Government:
Nigerian High Commissioner to the Court of St James’s - represented by Mr. G. A. Zakari (Minister/Head of Trade & Economic Affairs);
Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland – represented by Mr. Ifeanyi Nwosu (Minister/Head of Chancery);
Nigerian Ambassador to BELUX and to the European Union, His Excellency, Ambassador Usman Baraya;
Nigerian Ambassador to France - represented by Mr A. Aliyu (Consul) and Mr. S. S. Yusuf (Minister - Political)
Ambassador Joseph Ayalogu, the Grand Patron of NIDOE.

Other Nigerian Ambassadors, including Ambassador Ibrahim Kasai of Ukraine and Ambassador Dr. N. N. Akanbi to the Netherlands, who were unavoidably absent, sent in their Goodwill Messages to the gathering.

All the dignitaries commended the efforts of the Electoral Committee and the electorate for a job well-done and the maturity, with which the planning and the execution of the whole amount of complex operations that went into the conduct of the elections were carried out. They all wished the newly elected BoT success in all her endeavour.

Oluyinka Ajibade
General Secretary
Nidoe UK south











Independence Square in Port of Spain.

Entertainers in Port of Spain

Port of spain -Trinidad and Tobago

Briefing

A media logistics briefing will take place tomorrow (Tuesday 24th November) on the sixth floor of the International Finance Centre (IFC) building in Port of Spain at 12 o’clock (midday).• Eduardo del Buey, Conference Spokesperson, and Reah Rooplal, Head of Communications at Trinidad and Tobago’s National Secretariat, will address the media at this briefing.

Accreditation passes

There has been a change of plan regarding the collection of accreditation passes. In an earlier email I stated that passes should be collected on arrival at Piarco International Airport. That is no longer the case. Instead, you will be driven from the airport by shuttle bus, to the National Stadium, where you will collect your pass. The shuttle bus will then take you on to the Caribbean Princess cruise liner.

If you are staying at a different location you will need to arrange transport from the National Stadium to your hotel.

Kind regards,Tom BairdLocal number: 001 868 733 6404

Ayoub mzee na mzee wa libaneke mzee Mithupu

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is an African initiative that has been established to:
Stimulate debate on good governance across sub-Saharan Africa and the world.
Provide objective criteria by which citizens can hold their Governments to account.
Recognise achievement in African leadership and provide a practical way in which African leaders can build positive legacies on the continent when they have left office
Support aspiring leaders for the African continent

Ayoub mzee at Mlimani city conference center to attend the Mo ibrahim Foundation event

Staff preparing for open Day

All media Facilities were in Place

The main Hall

Local Staff and Volunteer

Emmanuel Jah was ther to do his 'thing'

Ice arriving to cool things down

Photos: Ayoub mzee