NiDCOM’s Response in Auditor-General’s Observations on a Purported “Nido Worldwide”

We acknowledge receipt of your letter and the accompanying statement concerning the Auditor-General’s observations relating to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
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For the avoidance of doubt, a query is meant to be responded to, and NiDCOM is doing exactly that.

It is appropriate to allow the established process to take its course and await NiDCOM’s response to the query before making public pronouncements on matters that are still being addressed through due process.

An audit observation is not, in itself, a final finding of wrongdoing. It is therefore premature and inappropriate for any organisation to prejudge the Commission’s response or draw conclusions before the relevant facts, records and explanations have been fully considered.

For the record, we wish to state that the reference to the event mentioned in the audit observations, was the Global Alliance Diaspora Symposium, organised in partnership with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), an organisation comprising 74 member states.

This was a global event with support from the Ministry of National Planning for which NiDCOM collaborated with officials of the Ministry as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 2023 event in question was not the regular NiDCOM events and the NIDO Europe Chairman at that time was one of those sponsored to attend.

We must also reiterate an important point concerning representation. NIDO is one organisation within the Nigerian diaspora community. It cannot present itself as representing the collective views of all Nigerians living abroad. A

Perhaps this is also an opportunity for you to reflect on and address some of NIDOs longstanding internal challenges, which have unfortunately affected its cohesion and broader representation.

Given the varying claims and perspectives within the organisation, it may be prudent to avoid giving the impression that its current leadership speaks for the entire Nigerian diaspora.

The signatories to the letter are, of course, entitled to express their views, but those views should perhaps be understood within the context of the wider and very diverse

Nigerian diaspora, rather than as representing Nigerians abroad as a whole.

NiDCOM

NiDCOM remains committed to transparency, accountability and due process. We are responding to the query issued to the Commission through the appropriate institutional channels and will allow the competent authorities to consider the facts and documentation in accordance with their mandate.
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We trust that the matter will be allowed to follow due process and that, when the process is concluded, the outcome will be treated with the same level of seriousness and public attention with which the matter was initially raised.

Signed

Management

Clarification on the Legitimate Leadership of NIDO Europe

This notice is issued to inform the general public, members of the Nigerian community in Europe, and relevant stakeholders regarding the legitimate leadership of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE).
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1. LEGITIMATE LEADERSHIP OF NIDOE

In accordance with the history, constitutional provisions, and established leadership succession of NIDO Europe, Hon. Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi is the duly elected Chairman of NIDO Europe. He was elected in November 2024 in Athens, Greece, in accordance with the organisation’s constitution and formally received the mantle of leadership from his predecessor, Dr. Bashir Obasekola, on 9th November 2024.

2. JUDICIAL AFFIRMATION OF LEADERSHIP

The legitimacy of Hon. Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi’s leadership has been affirmed by the County Court at Central London (Claim No. L03CL967). In a judgment dated 28 May 2025 and sealed on 14 June 2025, Deputy District Judge Chakravarty dismissed the claim brought by NIDO UK South against NIDO Europe. As the election of Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi in 2024 was not challenged successfully in court or set aside, he remains the authentic leader of NIDO Europe. We expected that Barr. Chibuzor, being a lawyer, an officer of the court will respect without any hesitation the decision of the court but No, he is desperate to be chairman to achieve a selfish effect.

3. CLARIFICATION ON CLAIMS TO THE CHAIRMANSHIP

We wish to clarify that the claims to the chairmanship of NIDO Europe by Barr. Chibuzor Ubochi do not represent the leadership recognised by our organisation. The leadership dispute and subsequent division within the organisation have generated considerable concern among members and stakeholders. We maintain that the leadership under Hon. Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi derives its legitimacy from the constitutional electoral process and the established succession of leadership within NIDOE, spanning over two decades. What is the historical geneology of Barr.Chibuzor’s leadership. Whom did he take over from or does it mean he created a new NIDO Europe?

4. CONCERNS OVER THE PURPORTED “NIDO WORLDWIDE” CHAIRMANSHIP

We are equally concerned about the continued use of the title of “Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide” by Barr. Chibuzor Ubochi and others. The Act establishing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) does not recognise any entity called “NIDO Worldwide.” What the Act recognises are Continental leadership structures, each independent and not under any coordinating leadership in the guise of “NIDO Worldwide.” We therefore question the basis for the continued use of this title and urge all stakeholders to beware.

5. APPEAL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDERS

We hereby dissociate ourselves from any group or

activities purporting to represent NIDO Europe under a leadership that is not recognised by our organisation. We urge members of the public, government institutions, corporate bodies, and other stakeholders to exercise due diligence and verify the legitimacy of any individual or group claiming to represent NIDO Europe before engaging with them.

NIDO Europe

With regards to the auditor generals querry to NIDCOM, there are already enough institutions, agencies and apparatus of government to investigate and determine the authenticity or otherwise of the claims. Let those institutions therefore carry out their duties.

6. OUR COMMITMENT TO CONSTITUTIONALISM AND UNITY

NIDO Europe remains a law-abiding organisation committed to constitutional governance, transparency, unity, and the advancement of Nigerians in the diaspora.

We shall not allow personal ambitions, leadership

disputes, or competing claims to undermine the

organisation’s history, integrity, and collective purpose.

We therefore call on all members and stakeholders to uphold the constitution, respect legitimate leadership, and work towards peace, unity, and the continued progress of NIDOE.

SIGNED:

Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi

Chairman

Hon. Otogo Μ.Α.

General Secretary

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE)
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CNN, Politico, Other Sue Trump Over White House Press Ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have sued the administration of US President Donald Trump after their journalists were barred from the White House and their press credentials revoked.
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The three media organisations announced the legal action on Monday, saying they were seeking to restore their access to the White House and protect their First Amendment rights.

ABC News, in a report published on Monday, September 21, initially reported that the three outlets planned to file a First Amendment lawsuit against the government that day.

However, Reuters reported later on Monday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico had filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

The development followed Trump’s decision on Friday to bar the three outlets from the White House, accusing them of reporting what he described as “FICTION and LIES” about him, his administration and the United States.

In a joint statement published by CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Monday, the outlets said, “This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes.”

The statement added, “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”

Reuters reported on Monday that the lawsuit followed Trump’s announcement that the three organisations would be banned from the White House grounds.

Reporters from the three outlets were turned away from the White House on Saturday, September 19, after the ban was announced.

Reuters reported that the journalists’ press passes were confiscated when they attempted to enter the White House.

Online media had earlier reported on Friday, September 18, that Trump announced the ban against CNN, MS NOW and Politico, accusing them without specifics of reporting “fiction and lies.”

CNN, in a statement carried by PUNCH Online on Friday, described the proposed ban as an “illegal assault” on its constitutional right to journalism without government interference.

CNN said its reporting was “fair and accurate” and protected under the US Constitution.

At an Oval Office event after the post, Trump told reporters that he supported a free press but wanted what he called a “fair and honest press.”

“It’s sick. I mean, there’s something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stuff. Now, if they want to write them, that’s fine. But I don’t have to let them into my, into the people’s house,” Trump said.

The White House ban was enforced on Saturday, when reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied entry to the complex.

ABC News reported on Saturday that reporters from the three organisations had been denied access following Trump’s announcement.

The Associated Press also reported that the reporters’ credentials were confiscated after they arrived at the White House.

The lawsuit now places the dispute over media access before a federal court, with the three news organisations seeking to challenge the government’s decision to exclude their journalists from the White House.

CBS News reported on Saturday that two MS NOW staffers were turned away from the White House, with their press passes revoked.

The dispute comes as Trump has repeatedly criticised news organisations over their coverage of his administration and has threatened to extend restrictions to other media outlets.

President Trump

Reuters reported on Monday that the White House had also removed CNN from its scheduled Monday assignment as the television pool representative for the White House press corps.

CNN had been scheduled to serve as the primary television pool network on Monday and accompany Trump to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, according to the report.

The legal action by the three organisations follows their reporters’ exclusion from the White House and the revocation of their credentials without prior notice, according to their joint statement.
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