Founding of a Nigerian Founding of a Nigerian Group: My ExperienceGroup: My Experience

*S. A. *S. A. IsiorhoIsiorho, PhD, PhDDept. of GeosciencesDept. of Geosciences

Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW)Wayne (IPFW)

Fort Wayne, IN 46805Fort Wayne, IN 46805isiorho@ipfw.eduisiorho@ipfw.edu

phone: 260-481-6254phone: 260-481-6254andand

E. O. E. O. IsiorhoIsiorho, R.N, M.S.Ed., R.N, M.S.Ed.Allen County Juvenile CenterAllen County Juvenile Center

Fort Wayne, IN 46808Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Talk OutlineTalk Outline IntroductionIntroduction The Country NigeriaThe Country Nigeria

– FactsFacts– PeoplePeople– Land of ContrastsLand of Contrasts– ProblemsProblems

Fort WayneFort Wayne GroupGroup

– In the beginningIn the beginning– FeedbackFeedback– NameName– Missions/objectivesMissions/objectives– ActivitiesActivities

LessonsLessons ConclusionsConclusions

IntroductionIntroduction

WorldWorld

AmericaAmerica

IntroductionIntroduction

AfricaAfrica

http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/africa.html

NigeriaNigeria

http://www.ancd.org/map.htm. Accessed Dec. 16, 2004

Some facts about NigeriaSome facts about Nigeria Nigeria is a country of 150 Million Nigeria is a country of 150 Million

People. People.

Some facts about NigeriaSome facts about Nigeria http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp? http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp?

name=Nigeria&seq=1name=Nigeria&seq=1

Oba of BeninOba of Benin

Nigeria is a country of 150 Million People with more than 250 Languages

PeoplePeople

http://www.akwaibomstate.com/Pics/emeh.jpg Daily Times Nov. 2003

People: Men’s head capsPeople: Men’s head caps

Nigeria, a land of contrastsNigeria, a land of contrasts

Nigeria, a land of contrastsNigeria, a land of contrasts

Nigeria ProblemsNigeria Problems

““After lurching from one military After lurching from one military coup to another, Nigeria now has coup to another, Nigeria now has an elected leadership. an elected leadership. But it faces But it faces the growing challenge of the growing challenge of preventing Africa's most populous preventing Africa's most populous country from breaking apartcountry from breaking apart along along ethnic and religious linesethnic and religious lines.” .” Last Updated: Last Updated: Tuesday, 9 November, 2004, 15:55 GMT (BBC News UK Edition) Tuesday, 9 November, 2004, 15:55 GMT (BBC News UK Edition) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1064557.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1064557.stmAccessed Nov. 22, 2004 Accessed Nov. 22, 2004 Emphasizes are mineEmphasizes are mine

The Anambra State Saga ContinuesThe Anambra State Saga Continues

““Again, Ngige, Uba embrace, assure on peaceAgain, Ngige, Uba embrace, assure on peaceFrom John-Abba Ogbodo, AbujaFrom John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja HHOPE for the return of OPE for the return of lasting peace to Anambra State was raised by the lasting peace to Anambra State was raised by the principal actors to the dispute in Abuja yesterday. principal actors to the dispute in Abuja yesterday.

After a meeting of the Presidential Committee on the After a meeting of the Presidential Committee on the Resolution of the Crisis, Governor Chris Ngige and his Resolution of the Crisis, Governor Chris Ngige and his estranged political sponsor, Mr. Chris Uba pledged to estranged political sponsor, Mr. Chris Uba pledged to forget their differences in the interest of the state. forget their differences in the interest of the state.

While Ngige pledged to make more sacrifices to While Ngige pledged to make more sacrifices to engender peace in the state, Uba said that Anambra engender peace in the state, Uba said that Anambra would never be turned to a war theatre again. would never be turned to a war theatre again.

The duo proceeded to embrace each other, the The duo proceeded to embrace each other, the second time since the fresh hostility began.”second time since the fresh hostility began.”

Is it settled?Is it settled?

Things Fall PartThings Fall Part

More cartoonsMore cartoons(Nigerian Guardian, Dec. 30, 2004)(Nigerian Guardian, Dec. 30, 2004)

““Envoy resolves rift among Nigerians in Canada”Envoy resolves rift among Nigerians in Canada”

“ “THEY came as 'combatants' but left for THEY came as 'combatants' but left for their homes as compatriots. The two-year-their homes as compatriots. The two-year-old feud, which polarised Nigerian leaders in old feud, which polarised Nigerian leaders in Canada, gave way to celebrations and Canada, gave way to celebrations and pledges by the parties to work as a team. pledges by the parties to work as a team. After a few hours of peace talks, initiated by After a few hours of peace talks, initiated by the Nigerian High Commissioner to the the Nigerian High Commissioner to the country, Mr. Olufemi George, the actors country, Mr. Olufemi George, the actors agreed to sheathe their sword.” agreed to sheathe their sword.” From Adeolu From Adeolu

Durotoye, Toronto, CanadaDurotoye, Toronto, Canada http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article03 Nov 16http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article03 Nov 16 Accessed Nov. 16, Accessed Nov. 16, 20042004

Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, Indiana

The Group: In the beginningThe Group: In the beginning

Feed-BackFeed-Back ““Thanks for everything, it is great.”Thanks for everything, it is great.” “ “It was a worthwhile event and we should keep it up.”It was a worthwhile event and we should keep it up.” “ “I hope people can be committed. Commitment is I hope people can be committed. Commitment is

the key to success.”the key to success.” ““I really loved the idea of us Nigerians coming I really loved the idea of us Nigerians coming

together, it is so great. Thank you and God bless.”together, it is so great. Thank you and God bless.” ““Let’s forge a Nigerian unity.”Let’s forge a Nigerian unity.” ““Organize group of people to come up with purpose of Organize group of people to come up with purpose of

the meetings.”the meetings.” ““Thank you for opening your house to all of us. May Thank you for opening your house to all of us. May

God bless you and your family God bless you and your family Also thank you for bringing us together and I pray Also thank you for bringing us together and I pray

that the enthusiasm is still there many months to that the enthusiasm is still there many months to come.”come.”

What’s in a Name?What’s in a Name?

Name identifies you Name identifies you Problems with names in Nigerian settingsProblems with names in Nigerian settings The community of Nigerians in Ft. WayneThe community of Nigerians in Ft. Wayne The Association of Nigerians in Ft. WayneThe Association of Nigerians in Ft. Wayne

From Nigerian Guardian Dec. 16, 2004From Nigerian Guardian Dec. 16, 2004

ObjectivesObjectives– Promote and facilitate awareness and interaction Promote and facilitate awareness and interaction

among Nigerians in Fort Wayneamong Nigerians in Fort Wayne

– Promote the general welfare of membersPromote the general welfare of members

– Foster unity, understanding, and respect of the Foster unity, understanding, and respect of the diversity for our ancestral homeland Nigeria, for diversity for our ancestral homeland Nigeria, for the United States of America, and for humanitythe United States of America, and for humanity

– Promote and coordinate social, cultural, and Promote and coordinate social, cultural, and economic programs aimed at enriching the lives economic programs aimed at enriching the lives of members, the people in the community, and of members, the people in the community, and in Nigeriain Nigeria

ActivitiesActivities

ConstitutionConstitution Independence Day Independence Day End of year get-togetherEnd of year get-together VisitationVisitation Baby shower/naming ceremonyBaby shower/naming ceremony WeddingWedding Community serviceCommunity service Involving childrenInvolving children Visiting President ObasanjoVisiting President Obasanjo

Activities IActivities I

Activities IIActivities II

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Uneasy is the head that wears the Uneasy is the head that wears the crowncrown

SacrificeSacrifice SacrificeSacrifice And more sacrificeAnd more sacrifice A forum establishedA forum established

ConclusionConclusion

It’s good to see brethren dwelling It’s good to see brethren dwelling togethertogether