Minna Conference has no Babangida’s connection, says NIDOE Chairman, Alistair Soyode

Alistair Soyode standing

Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Nigerians In the Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Dr Alistair Soyode has spoken of attempts by some disgruntled members to discredit the World- wide Organisation as well as blackmail  its executive members.

Mr Soyode was reacting to a media report which alleged that the Organisation was taking steps aimed at supporting Ex –Nigerian Leader, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) as a favoured candidate for the next general election.

Dr Soyode, who is also the Chief Executive of BEN Television in London   claimed a Media report about  NIDO regarding its forthcoming conference in July was absolutely a mis-representation of the truth and a complete falsehood  aimed at destabilising the Organisation.

“The Organisation is non- politically, non-partisan and with no political affiliation”, he emphasised.

NIDOE

Mr Soyode was ambushed by a team of reporters in North London last week as he emerged from a meeting with some business executives from Central London.

He was challenged to respond to a media report that there were plans by some executive members of the Nigerians In Diaspora Organization (NIDO) to sanction former Nigerian dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, as a favoured  presidential candidate in the coming general election.

It was also alleged that the annual conference of the Organisation was being shifted to Minna in order to achieve the aim of sanctioning the former dictator.

“NIDO is a non-governmental Organisation with long term credibility. We have no affiliation with government and all members have equal right of voice to make decisions.The executive member are well enlightened and cant be pushed around as claimed” he explained.

Our standpoint has always been to engage all positive Nigerians with a better vision and goals and see how they can achieve those goals. We are international business, social and cultural empower Organisation. But politics? please count us out”.

”Some Nigerians are out to destroy the Organisation through blackmail and fallacies”, he claimed.

Mr Soyode claimed NIDO members run the organisation with their money and for some people to engage in plots to create confusion and anarchy, it is very unfortunate.

“It is impossible to sell NIDO to anybody. It is an Organisation that embraces all well-meaning Nigerians with good reputation and dignity”.

“Diaspora day comes up every year on July 25, prior to the celebration of the nation’s Independent and all Nigerians states have a right to host it”.

“This year’s celebration plans has been earmarked for special hosting as it is coinciding with the nation’s 50^th anniversary independence”, he explained.

According to Dr Soyode, there are many proposals about the venue for this year’s conference being held either in Abuja or Minna, Niger state capital.

He confirmed that the organisation’s has a culture of shifting the conference to create balance and its  executives  have engaged  in dialogue about the right venues with members suggesting Abuja and Minna.

” How can somebody go about telling the media we are fighting?. It is very disgraceful”, he said.

“The proposal to shift the venue from Abuja to Minna  had no connection with Babangida and all reports about his connection has been attempts to blackmail NIDO  executives”, he claimed.

The Media Executive  described the report as a figment of imagination of the supplier of the story whom he identified as some disgruntled elements.

“If we are being canvassed to hold our annual conference in Minna, Niger state, it is not for any reason than the fact that the state is part of Nigeria. Can we isolate Niger state because Babangida comes from there?” he queried. The report was mis- guided and aimed at blackmailing the organisation.

He claimed that NIDO has got two executives working on the possibility of hosting the conference in Minna, just as the Organisation also look around Abuja for a decent venues and hotels .

“As a well established organisation, we have to agree to disagree. There was no conflict and for some people to sell stories to the media that we had a conflict and that NIDO is supporting Babangida in nothing but an attempt to gain cheap attention and publicity by the source of the report”, he said.

Speaking further, he said it was unfortunate that his name was being given a wrong picture despite all efforts to uplift the image of NIDO and Nigeria and that in  both cases, he has been using his personal  money to champion those causes.

“NIDO has been a forum for personal empowerment for many Nigerians home and abroad and this is through the effort of dedicated members.

“It’s a big shame I am being called names like hustler”.

“Oh yes, I am a hustler with a positive attitude. We all hustle to arrive at our destination in life. A non hustling person is a dead person.

Babangida

Can we as a Nigerian organisation do things in isolation of the government?. Is it possible for NIDO not to dialogue when we call our self a Nigerian Organisation?” he questioned.

He said he had always been driven by his passion for Nigeria while doing the little he knew he could do to promote the country positively.

He said as a businessman, he goes around meeting people to engage them and showcase their side of events, claiming that was why he works as a media person.

“As the head of a media organisation, we have to engage in people and people have to engage in us and that is what makes us to be in business.

Mr. Soyode is accused of working with the ex-husband of Iyabo Obasanjo, the daughter of Nigeria’s former president, Akeem Folajimi Bello and one lady known as Folashade Arowoselu.

“Akeem is a member of the NIDO based in the Diaspora himself”, As a mother umbrella for all Nigerians,we all have to get involved together. It has got nothing to do with Babangida or politics”

“They clamed Alistair is a well-known hustler who transverses Nigerian state capitals paying solidarity visits to corrupt public officials. What a big shame!  Those  people playing holier than thou go about destroying people’s image and reputation. I wish them good luck”, he said.

“It is unfortunate that many people thrive on falsehood, fallacies and fabrications using the media to pursue their causes. I wish them good luck”

“It is impossible to sell NIDO to anybody. We are all involved as people in the Diaspora. How can you embark on selling what belongs to us all when it is not a personal property”he queried

“I bear no grudge, he said, as I wish those people good luck in their pursuits” he concluded.

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