The Coalition of Nigerians Canadian Interest Groups, a network of Nigerian-Canadian socio-economic and good governance organisations based in Canada, will be hosting the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party in the last general election in Nigeria and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, to a town hall meeting in Toronto, Canada on May 3, 2024.
Obi would be the keynote speaker amongst other invited guests – Nigerians and Canadians – in the public sector.
This CONCIG maiden event is part of the group’s efforts in initiating collaborations between Canadian and Nigerian governments as well as global political stakeholders towards good governance in building a better world for now and the future.
The network of over 20 socio-economic associations in North America is initiating collaborations between the Canadian and Nigerian political stakeholders as part of their efforts to advocate for good governance in Nigeria and Canada as well as the globe.
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According to the coalition Lead, Vwede J. Obahor, the collaboration became necessary as part of many initiatives the coalition is rolling out to add value to Nigeria’s democratic dispensation and polity as well as that of Canada.
Obahor said: “As Nigerians residing in Canada, we want to be part of nation building in Canada and our country of origin in bringing some select Nigerian business and political players to come and have an interaction with political stakeholders in Canada.
“This we believe will go a long way to not only forge some high-level engagements and relationship which Canada and Nigeria needs thereby engendering opening areas of socio-economic benefits between Nigeria and Canada.”
With Nigerians going through one of the most uncertain times – economically and security – engaging in conversations which may lead to accountable, responsive and strategic deliberate good governance to revitalise the economic situation, tackle insecurity, and upgrade the health sector are among factors that inspired the idea of the townhall meeting.
The Coordinator of the Coalition, Fabian N. Nwaoha, said: “Our initiative to have this townhall meet with Peter Obi as the keynote speaker is due to his constant expression on the need to reduce the cost of governance which alludes in many ways to the kind of governance we experience here in Canada.
“The coalition – CONCIG – will also be inviting other respected policy makers in Nigeria to interact with Nigerians in Diaspora and engage with some government officials in Canada with the aim of building an alliance that will be beneficial to Nigeria and Canada.”
Among the expected personalities to grace the occasion are Nigerian and Canadian political players, including Bassey Osagie, former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party in Edo State.
Obi will be speaking on the Townhall theme: “Capacity Building, and Inclusiveness in Governance.”
The Townhall meeting will take place at Hilton Garden Inn on May 3, 2024 by 5pm Eastern Time.
Earlier in the day before the Townhall, a breakfast meeting is also scheduled for the same day and venue at 7:30am for a one-on-one interaction with Obi.
According to Peacevalentine Ojika, Communications Lead for the event, so many Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from all over Canada have expressed interest in attending the meetings.
Ojika said: “We have been working very hard to make sure that we host a successful event with our invited guests, and it is amazing the number of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria in Canada and abroad who have indicated interest in attending this event, it is inherent that Nigerians in Diaspora engage with the participants in the process with a view to charting a path that will be beneficial to our home country and our country of residence.
“It is high time we got the Nigerian project right.”