ANAC News & Updates

July 6, 2006

ANAC's Official Response to the Cease and Desist Order

All Nigeria America Congress has authorized the release of the following
information to the public in line with the organization's transparency
procedures. A few weeks ago two individuals who are non members of ANAC forged a
dissolution letter on behalf of ANAC and submitted such document to the District
of Columbia authorities, informing them that ANAC's management has voted in a
majority decision to dissolve the organization.

In lieu of such fraudulent letter authorities in Washington cancelled ANAC's
registration in the District of Columbia. ANAC has obtained a copy of the forged
letter from government authorities, the organization also obtained a copy of the
dissolution certificate. The forged letter was signed by two individuals,
however upon the advice of our attorneys such information will not be released
at this time.

The public is hereby informed that All Nigeria America Congress ANAC is
valid and legal organization registered in Maryland, California, Texas,
Illinois, Indiana, and others. ANAC's headquarters is located at Largo,
Maryland, with State Chapters in many other US States. The organization
continues to conduct its business as usual. The fraudulent letter which led the
District of Columbia to invalidate ANAC's registration in Washington D.C. only,
has been referred to our attorneys for further action. You will be informed of
further developments when available.

Signed
Paul Okechukwu Oranika,
Chairman ANAC Information and Public Affairs

Signed
Chief Temitope Ajayi
President, ANAC

Date: June10, 2006
Mr. Okey Mbonu is no longer with ANAC

The All Nigeria American Congress [ANAC] has received several reports from media establishments and others that Mr. Okey Mbonu former President ANAC House of Delegates has continued to claim that he is still representing ANAC. It has become necessary for us to clarify this matter so as to set the record straight. Mr. Okey Mbonu left ANAC effective March 28, 2006, and is no longer a member of the All Nigeria American Congress. The current ANAC organizational leadership structure includes, but is not limited to the following officers:

Honorable Dr. Dan Austin, MD –Chairman Board of trustees
Hon. Mohammed Bagudu-Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Honorable Chief Temitope Ajayi-President ANAC House of Delegates
Honorable Dr.Abdul Lateef Kareem-Secretary General
Honorable George Mbagwu-Treasurer
Honorable Dr. Bright Aregs-Vice President, House of Delegates
Mr. Gordon Elison - Acting Executive Director

Additional details of the leadership structure of ANAC, including other Board of Trustees members, Committee Chairpersons, State Chapter Chairpersons could be found at www.anacweb.org

Signed:
Honorable Paul Okechukwu Oranika
Chairman ANAC Information and Public Affairs

Signed:
Honorable Chief Temitope Ajayi
President, ANAC HOD

Mr. Gordon Ellison
Acting Executive Director
All Nigerian American Congress

CNN “How to Rob a Bank” Report galvanizes the Nigerian Community in North America

Historically the Western news media focuses on negative news when it comes to news coverage of Africa and its people. Such issues as war, famine, hunger, genocide, natural disaster, disease, fraud and mismanagement remain the sole focus of news coverage of Africa and its people.

What is baffling is that the African community in North America has been content in allowing the western media to define them to the world through these negative news reports. In addition African Embassies and Consulates have failed to take leadership position in challenging some of the false and negative coverage given to Africa and its people.

This approach is about to change thanks to the leadership initiate provided by the All Nigerian American Congress [ANAC]. The recent CNN report titled “How to Rob a Bank” has helped to galvanize the communities of Nigerians living in North America. The report which aired on May 20-21 2006 has added salt to injury on the negative stereotyping of Nigerians.

The Report by Drew Griffin, CNN Anchor interviewed among others, Nigerian convicted criminals as witnesses to support their biased story. Griffin also talked to Mathew Bolden, Federal Agent who helped to try some of the so-called Nigerian fraud Kingpins. The Nigerian criminals told CNN that 40 percent of Nigerians in this country are involved with fraud.

Undoubtedly this information is false and lacks moral justification as well as scientific legitimacy. Through the leadership of Chief Temitope Ajayi, the President ANAC HOD, a national teleconference session was organized to deal with this negative stereotyping of Nigerians. The conference was historical in the sense that it was the first time that Nigerians from many different organizations gathered in such a show of unity to deal with this issue.

Prior to the conference, Chief Temitope Ajayi and Mrs. Okunubi, ANAC Chairwoman of Youth and Culture contacted CNN office to discuss such negative overgeneralization of Nigerians. They discussed among other things the issue that ANAC should be given an airtime to rebut this false statement about Nigerians.

Chief Ajayi then organized a gathering of Nigerians from different organizations in North America to weigh in on this issue and to adopt a unified front to rebut this false characterization of Nigerians. The conference discussed many issues, some of the speakers said CNN is the culprit here, and that the report was a sloppy and amateurish display of journalism which was unfair to the overwhelming percentage of Nigerians who have done extremely well in their different fields. Some speakers point to the fact that it is widely known that the average Nigerian in the United States hold a bachelors degree and should not be judged through the statement of convicted criminals

Other speakers believe that the report is in line with the way the western news media depict Africans and its people. Many of the speakers were very passionate with this topic, but many also condemned the few Nigerian bad eggs involved with fraud. These Nigerians do not represent the larger Nigerian community which excels in many fields including academia, medicine, business, engineering arts and other technological endeavors, many of the speakers maintained.

The conference was told that CNN and other media establishments such as ABC, NBC, and CBS exploit the weakness and political inactivity of African communities. In the end the conference agreed that the CNN report should be studied further. A Committee including a representative of all the participating organizations was formed to further deal with this issue and to come up with a unified position and strategy to pursue further.

The conference was moderated by Honorable Mohamed Bagudu, ANAC vice Chair and President of the Nigerian Democracy Project [NDP]. Participants in the teleconference included, Chief Temitope Ajayi President ANAC House of Delegates, Honorable Emmanuel Umoh of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA, Honorable Ehosa Edebo of the Nigerian Foundation and Board member of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization[NIDO], Honorable Jubi Adelagun, Managing Director of Punch, Honorable Mike Anunike, Assistant Secretary of World Igbo Congress, Honorable T.J. Abass of EKO Club, Honorable Dr. Bright Areggs, ANAC Trustee from California and President of South South Niger Delta Consortium, Honorable Mrs. Lara Okunubi, ANAC Chairwoman of Youth and Culture, and delegate from California Honorable Dr. Joy Arungwu, ANAC Delegate from Maryland, Honorable Dr. Ola Kasim, President NIDO, Honorable Paul Akhimien, ANAC Trustee from Indiana, Honorable Dr. Peter Agho, ANAC Trustee from New York, Honorable George Mbagwu ANAC Trustee and Treasurer from Maryland, Honorable Ms Jumoke, PRO-NIDO, Honorable, Author Paul Oranika, ANAC Chairman Information and Public Affairs from Georgia, Honorable Dr. Okin, ANAC Delegate, and last but not the least, Honorable Mr. Bolaji Aluko, Nigerian Democratic Movement. Apologies to other attendees whose information were not received at press time.

Date:December 23, 2005ANAC ENDORSES THE NIGERIAN HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

The All Nigerian American Congress has completely endorsed and approved the Nigerian National Health Insurance Scheme with a full thumbs up. This is the best program yet to be unloaded by the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo and indeed the most well run program at this point, that we are aware of in Nigeria. We at All Nigerian American Congress had passed our Medical Development Assistance Program following series of debate in our house of delegates and the Upper house of Trustees and we were preparing for introduction of the program into Nigeria. We got an invitation from the Executive Director of the Nigerian National Health Insurance Scheme to a briefing on the NHIS program scheduled here in the United States for December 13th, 2005. In attendance was the Chairman of the Governing Board of NHIS Mr. O. Olapade and the Executive Director Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky, the CEO of Flexmed Care Inc, Mr. Godwin Esseshawn, Chairman All Nigerian American Congress Dan Edokpolo Austin M.D., Association of Nigerian Physician in Americas representative Dr. Emeruwa, and other executives representing United States health business community. The session was well coordinated and the presentations were concise and very enlightening. Dr. Mohammed Lecky a US trained health care professional, quite knowledgeable about the essentials of instituting a structural health care program of this magnitude. Upon completing this briefing session in Miami, Florida on December, 13th, 2005, All Nigerian American Congress through its Chairman, Dan Austin M.D. invited Dr. Mohammed Lecky to come to the Washington DC, Maryland area for a Workshop and Town hall meeting to further exchange this program to local Nigerian health corporations and professionals.

The NHIS team headed by Dr. Lecky conducted a five hour workshop at the Radisson Hotel, Largo Maryland, on December 22nd, 2005. The program is simple, for the first time since 1964 when the idea of such a program was introduced to the Nigerian legislature, the Nigerian National health Insurance program was finally successfully lunched and commenced by the applaud-able efforts of Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky, following only 7months of appointment to this office. The program provides health care coverage for Nigerians beginning with a monthly payment structure of only 5% of basic salary, the health coverage will cover all doctors office visit, labs, pharmacy drug coverage, hospital care, maternity care for individuals and all their family members. To ease the introduction of the program the Nigerian government of Olusegun Obasanjo has opted to pay for the program for the first two years. The NHIS would primarily be a regulatory body, and approved Health Management organization would assist in running the program. The NHIS has began a comprehensive program of certifying multiple facilities and providers across the country.

This program is an excellent program commented Dr. Dan Edokpolo Austin, Chairman of All Nigerian American Congress, who is a physician by training and presently head a US based health plan in the Washington DC Maryland area. Indeed it has all the necessary parameters for for successful inception. I am most impressed with the person directing the program, Dr. Mohammed Lecky, a Harvard trained health professional, who in all accounts and my participation with him for the past two weeks seems to have a very convincing grasp of all the essential of large scale health development program. I am very impressed with the guy. We at ANAC employed quite high standards in assessing health programs, especially having lived and exposed to one of the best health care systems in the world, our goal is to prescribe for Nigeria nothing less than the best attainable health care system in the world. NHIS may not be the best at its present form and stage, however with a fairly good program as it is, and with the capable leadership of Dr. Mohammed Lecky, we are confident enough to go all the way with this program. We are also endorsing the diaspora program whole heartily. Also in attendance in the Maryland workshop was Dr. Olakassim the Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora organization (NIDO), who is also a physician by training, who have also expressed a very receptive support for this program. We now have something to work with, it may not be perfect, its more like the American health care system, I would have preferred it to be like the Canadian system, the Canadian based Dr. Olakassim remarked as to make the point of his domicile. We are going to work closely with all the diaspora organization continued Dr. Austin the Chairman of ANAC, as you can see here today, Dr. Olakassim, and I are working at all levels to synergistically reach our community to bring the necessary success and progress that we most importantly need. Also present in the workshop was the Vice Chairman of ANAC Mohammed Bagudu, Dr. Ogu Emerum of Physician Vision for peace of Norfolk, Virginia (ANAC Virginia delegate), Dr. Abdul Lateef kareem a Chicago based Physician and newly elected Sec. General of ANAC. The New Democrat Nigerian presidential aspirant and Upper house delegate Trustee of ANAC, Akeem Bello who also chairs the Social Security Committee of ANAC, the CEO of Flexmed care Godwin Esseshawn, Chuks Eleonu Chair of Africa Diaspora Organization (APAC), Political Action Committee member of ANAC, Hussein Musa head Corporate Affairs for NHIS, Tunji Fakunmoju of Novantis E. health, Mr Omorogbe a Director with, Maryland Int. Dev. Corp, ANAC Del. Maryland, Irrenegbe Osifo Energy and Power Committe of ANAC, numerous health professionals and corporate leaders in the health care field in the Washington DC, Maryland area.

We are going to recommend this to the estimated 2-4 million Nigerians in North America. ANAC would immediately commence an optional enrollment program for its members, we already have the technology in place as we designed for our Medical Development and Assistant Program. In fact we have commenced a registration negotiation process with NHIS to grant us the agency for registration of Nigerians in America, this will cover their care when they visit Nigeria or if they want to sponsor a relative in Nigeria. We are presently working with Flexmed Care to perfect the agency negotiation program for ANAC, so that all Nigerians in the United States, Canada and all other diaspora, would be able to go to www.anacweb.org and enroll for NHIS coverage. Once we have completed the arrangement, we would present this program for ratification to our Upper and lower house of delegates, though both houses had earlier voted for the Medical Development Assistance Program, which is essentially identical to this NHIS program. We believe very shortly, this program enrollment would be available on our website. For question regarding this program, participation you may contact us at memberservices@anacweb.org we should be able to provide all the necessary answers or we would refer you to the appropriate agencies who can help.

Date:December 7, 2005ANAC passes Nigerian Presidency Vote Bill

All Nigerian American Congress (ANAC) passed the Nigerian presidency vote bill which will authorize the organization that represents the 2-4 million Nigerians and their descendants in North America, to lobby the Nigerian government to allow their members who are Nigerian citizens as well as other Nigerian citizens in the diaspora the right to vote for the presidency of Nigeria in North America and the diaspora. The bill was passed in a unanimous vote of the upper house members in a session held December, 4th, 2005. This bill was earlier passed by a unanimous vote in the lower house, led by the new elected President Mr. Okey Mbonu. Speaking for the organization, the present Chairman of the Upper House, Dan Edokpolo Austin M.D., President and CEO of Cignet Health Corporation, emphasized the significance of the vote following a very successful congressional session held in Washington, DC on November, 19-20th, 2005. With guest speakers including United States Congressman Donald Payne, a ranking member of International Relations Committee (US Congress), Ambassador Howard Jeter former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Herman Cohen former Asst. Secretary of State for Africa under Bush administration, assistant to Colin Powell. The organization also saw a list of other dignitaries including a special representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo, Minister Felix Pwol, Mr. Sokoto Mohammed and Professor Onisanya. We drew delegates from all across the United States and momentum is rising. The interest that have been generated among Nigerians and their descendants in the diaspora is simply incredible. All the way from the Caribbean islands to Canada, even applications have been received from countries in Europe.
The next step now is to open our Abuja office, we are planning to send a team to begin that in early 2006. The objective is to fight for the interest of these 2-4 million people and more who invest so much to sustain the Nigerian economy and get no recognition. We first have to bring awareness to this issues, some of us, do three jobs with sleepless nights, just to send our hard earn money to family members who are abandoned by lack of effectively planned institutions in Nigeria. Its only due that we should have a voice in determining who gets to rule our homeland. Most of us are not here by choice, we are simply economic refugees, and victims of poorly administered homeland governments. All the same we have learned a lot in our forced domicile, most of us now have two or three generations in the west, we are executives of major corporations, professors in respected institutions, managers, doctors, lawyers, accountants and we hull a lots of money home monthly, much of which are sent as assistance to Nigeria monthly. If Nigeria is to develop it is imperative that it tap very methodically the resources in these gold minds and wealth of established financial and technical resources in these sons and daughters in the diaspora. We have to make these bold steps at this time because the conditions in Nigeria are critically falling behind, we are in jeopardy of loosing the tiny gains made so far by the administration. Although there had been earlier unsuccessful initiatives in this direction and we must commend the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo in this area, however those steps were not independent and the decisions were not completely of our own efforts.
This bill calls for the ability of Nigerians in North America and the diaspora to be able to vote for the Presidency of Nigeria, along with three senatorial and six congressional seats assigned to us in the diaspora. We vote them in at the Nigerian embassies and consulates, send our representative home to Nigeria and they speak for us. If they become corrupt and do not go there to change the corruption at home, we recall them and elect someone else. But knowing the cry and gut disappointment of most of us in the diaspora at the mess and disgrace going on in Nigeria, candidates from the diaspora would be a huge positive influence on governance in Nigeria. The bill called the Nigerian Presidency vote bill was authored and sponsored by Honorable Bright Aregs (ANAC Del. Los Angeles,California, ), Professor Martin Okafor (ANAC Del. Atlanta,Georgia, ), Peter Agho M.D. (ANAC Del. New York, New York) and Hon. Okey Mbonu (Del. Maryland). The organization is well represented, and the priorities are in the right place. Also passed is a bill that authorizes the group to commence a group savings program that will allow private employees to put a few dollars away monthly into a social security fund, which when the employee becomes unemployed will pay the employee a fixed amount until the employee becomes employed again. The employee pays about ($10, or N1,000) monthly, the employer matches the fund monthly, so that when the individual is unemployed he gets a check for three months before he can find another job. At the age of sixty five, he can start collecting payment until all benefits are depleted. This bill was sponsored by Hon .Abdul Lateef Kareem M.D. (Del. Chicago, IL), Hon.Dan Edokpolo Austin M.D. (Del. Fairfax, VA) and Professor Stanley Onye (Del. Lanham, MD). There is also an associated fund that will help provide for cost of health care and disaster emergency, designed in a similar method. (For complete copy of bill visit www.anacweb.org click on bills and resolutions, or email memberservices@anacweb.org)
These are private initiatives, that when run well can reduce armed robberies in Nigeria by fifty percent. The problem with us in Nigeria is that nobody really cares about the ordinary person, yet we expect the country to function, continued the articulate chairman of the Trustees, Dan Edokpolo Austin, a physician by education and leads a corporation that have offices and operations in multiple States in Nigeria. If the citizens do not have purchasing power, we are wasting time running businesses, commerce would certainly not flourish and corruption and armed robbery would be the order of the day. That's exactly the picture we have right now in Nigeria. The advantage we have in ANAC is the developed society environment here in the west, with the established law and order that we have here in the United States, and its large economy and best technology in the world. Our program have US based parent companies and are strictly enforced by US laws. We are bringing them to Nigeria as Foreign based companies and begin them as private initiatives in order to support, help and educate the citizens, that they don't have to wait for the government. The United States economy stands today because of the strong and huge private sector economies. The private sector per capital power in the US dwarfs multiple governments in North America and Europe combined. With our large numbers, technical resources already developed and well proven track in our companies here in the US, among our members owned or managed companies, which must continue to grow here in the west, we are branching into Nigeria. We have for example developed an ANAC National ID card system, which is already in place and developed it with a social security ID number for all our members and it has the capability of handling millions of members even the entire Nigerian population and more. (Nigerian administration has had problems with this area for a while). The key is technology, discipline and organization. These are basic necessities and first step for development of order and progress. The goal is to conceptualize huge private public partnership programs, have our own technological resources, resolution of mind in all ranks and resourcefulness with discipline to manage and run it with good competitive results, comparable with other developed societies of the world. ANAC understand that very well, having lived and competed with the best in world, and indeed already have such well advanced in place.
The target is to empower the private sector to take the lead, force joint standards and watch groups to spring up, to hold the government to its responsibilities. We need to engage them ever so persistently but not rebelliously, to set rules that are enforced with tax money and not necessarily petroleum oil money, disdain corruption and make it unprofitable for officials to be corrupt. In our view the duties of government is to set the rules, enforce them probably and clearly, so that private business can flourish and all the citizens benefiting from the prosperous system that emerges. The problem now is people go into government to make profit, they invest in candidates in real cash and they expect public funds directly in return as profits. The public officials themselves also do it directly. This process as a whole is blind sighted and this is truly at the core of corruption and the backwardness in us as a people. We have to look at it closely and not simply point fingers. We in All Nigerian American Congress are uniquely in an excellent position, due to divine providence, to come up with initiatives that will help all sides of the spectrum and bring hope to our motherland. This and other press releases are an open call for engagement, we will lobby all sides, and ask that we be given the opportunity to move these initiatives. History will certainly write the pages of Nigeria's past, however for the sakes of our children and hope of our survival in a world that is moving at laser beam speed today, we must rescue of homeland and work together as a people to begin the structural frame work of an orderly and progressive society. Other trustees and ranking delegates also include, Hon. Akeem Bello (Del. NC), Hon. Colin Atebajeun (Del. TX), Hon. Mohammed Bagudu (Del. WDC), Hon. Princes Igwebuike (Del. MD), Hon. Paul Oranika (Del. GA), Hon. Paul Ikhimien (Del. IN), Hon. Ola Aina (Del. CT), Hon. Samuel Isokpunwu (Del. TX), Hon George Mbagwu (Del. MD), Hon David Ogunnaike (Del. CA) and Chief Ms Temitope Ajayi delegate from San Francisco, California and vice President of the lower house of delegates.

Date:November 18-19, 2005

ALL NIGERIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS NOV. 21, 2005 ANAC SUCCESSFUL SESSION: PANELIST SAY THIRD TERM BAD FOR NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY

All Nigerian American Congress successfully completed its November, 2005 session with many highlight events among them was the election of its President which was contested by Hon. Del. Okey Mbonu(MD), Hon. Del. Lateef Kareem (IL), Hon. Del. Stanley Onye (MD). Mr Okey Mbonu the Maryland attorney and present Commissioner for Housing in Prince Georges County, Maryland defeated the two other candidates in a well campaigned events, coming a close second was Dr. Lateef Kareem, the Chicago based physician. Ms. Temitope Ajayi the honorable delegate from San Francisco California, beat out the other delegates for Vice President while, Honorable Sam Agbebi (Del. MD)and Hon. Bright Aregs (Del. California), both won for the House Whip. Fourteen House delegates were elected to the Upper house according to the constitution, to include Abdul Lateef Kareem (Del. IL), Prof. Martin Okafor (Del. Ga), Colin Atobajeun (Del. TX), Princess Igwebuike (Del. MD), Akeem Bello (Del. NC), all five for a five year term. And Dr. Peter Agho the New york based physician (Del. NY) and David Ogunnaike (Del. Ca) for the three year term. Seven other were elected for the two year terms, they included Eric Ula-lisa (Del. WI), Chief Ola Aina (Del. CT), Samuel Isokpunwu (Del. TX), Paul Oranika (Del. Ga), Paul Ikhimien (Del. IN), Stanley Onye (Del. MD), Robert Igbinovia (Del. NJ).
The occasion was well attended with United States Congressman for the 10th district of New Jersey, Donald Payne, keynote to the event, the delegates and participants engaged the representative of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Minister Felix Pwol who tried his best to answer the loads of question on issues ranging from the anti-corruption program of the Nigerian administration to development programs in Nigeria. The program was most productive with the United States delegation members which included ex-United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Howard Jeter, Former Asst. Secretary for State (Africa) Herman Cohen under the second Bush administration with Colin Powell, Randy Echols an expert from a local Washington based think tank. The group was supported by a visiting scholar Sokoto Mohammed and Prof. Adesanya, a Nigerian based political think tank group member, who basically gave updates on Nigeria, with Prof. Adesanya lamenting the poor state of labor wages and lack of a national attempt to pay adequate wages for Nigerian citizens. Sokoto Mohammed concentrated on given updates on the different progress made in Nigeria in recent months, but draw applause when he listed present anti-corruption cases vigorously prosecuted by the Nigerian governments recently. Nigerian Minister for Finance Ngozi Iweala, and a host of other Nigerian administrative officials were invited including the President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, who sent a personal representative and sent a letter to specify his representative. The President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, was well honored by receiving the first All Nigerian American Congress award for his anti-corruption and successful economic programs. Ms Iweala though recently in the country, was unable to make the event, which was well attended by numerous business groups who had expressed interest in Nigerian investment.
Congressman Payne and Howard Jeter stressed the need for the anti-corruption campaign of Obasanjo to continue for the long term and comprehensively. They also stressed the need for the Nigerian US economic program to particularly pay a lot of attention to sectors in the United States where there are natural affiliations, then also continue with the conventional approach to other areas of American working partnerships, as already exit with the oil sector of the United States and Nigerian economy . The focus of the evening was redirected when questions were raised on a possible third term for the present administration. The American delegation clearly stated that in their wisdom it would be a disaster for the Nigerian administration to consider or even entertain such, because much respect and progress has been made on Nigerian democracy by the present administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, any attempt to introduce such idea would meet serious opposition from within Nigerian and would not be welcomed by the international community. Howard Jeter however stressed that there has not been any such statement coming out of Aso rock, hence entertaining such questions at this time are mere speculations. Its important that Nigeria respects its constitution, a lot have been gained by this present administration for the past eight years, the economic gains, the effective position of women in the administration, the fight against corruption, advance in the democratic process, all of these have brought tremendous respect in the international community, especially for Olusegun Obsanjo and such progress is growing in confidence. Nigeria would be wise to stay the course and not draw back to the dark ages of Nigerian politics with efforts that would disrespect its constitution and democracy. Asked about where Nigeria should be today, Herman Cohen, an expert on African affairs, remembered the years not too long ago when Nigeria was at par with South Korea, Malaysia and other far east nations, who were developing at the same pace with Nigeria in the sixties, but today the distance have been greatly widened, and Nigeria must get back on track. As Nigeria goes, so does Africa, remarked the honorable statesman. There is real opportunity here, with the development we see, for the first time in decades, there is not much apprehension over investments in Nigeria and the political situation, its important that the flame of democracy, anti-corruption and economic development continue without falling back again.
The events was continued with a dinner and a Gala Night, which presented the live music of Shamita El Diego Soukous music Icon and the night extravaganza. The organization is slated to now, hire an executive director who will continue the administrative lobby here in the United States from Washington, DC on behalf of the estimated 2million Nigerians in North America and also send a delegation to Nigerian and open its Abuja office in early 2006. We can not look back stressed its newly elected President Okey Mbonu and Chairman of the Upper House of Trustees Dan Edokpolo Austin M.D., President and CEO of Cignet Health Corp., a Washington DC based health Corporation with office in Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria. We have began this good work, and the next step is to make our programs known to the Nigerian government and lobby on behalf of Nigerians in North America. To do this effectively, we must raise awareness in our communities and make our agenda known both here and in Nigeria.

Date: Nov.5, 2005

ALL NIGERIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE PASSES THREE BILLS/RESOLUTIONS.

The organizing committee of All Nigerian American Congress in a unanimous vote passed the three resolutions pending before it yesterday, Friday November, 4, 2005 in a two and a half hour deliberation. The committee which is tagged primarily to orchestrate the planning and advancement of structural issues for the conglomerate organization, deliberated extensively on the initiatives sponsored by delegates from different parts of the United States, presented to the body for initial review. Present in the Committee were: 1.Dan E. Austin M.D. (Chair. Del South South, Virginia) 2.Abdul Lateef Kareem M.D. (Del. IL, Ogun State, Candidate Permanent Trustee) 3.Martin Okafor (Del. Ga, Imo State, Candidate President House of Delegates) 4.Sampson Agbebi (Del. Lagos State, WDC) 5.Louis Ebodaghe (Del. GA) 6.Sampson Isokponwu (Del. TX, candidate Trustee) 7.Peter Agho M.D. (Del. NY, candidate Trustee) 8.Stanley Onye (Del.MD, candidate for Permanent Trustee and President House of Delegates) 9.Colin Atebajeun (Del. TX) 10.Paul Oranika (Del. Atlanta) 11.Randy Echols (Consultant WDC, Testify before Committee only). The house committee with its unanimous approval have virtually cleared the way for the three resolutions to make it into the floor of the congressional session for vote on November 19th, 2005 from the full house of delegates. Expected to congregate in Washington DC on November 19th, 2005 are over three hundred delegates from numerous districts of the 50 US states as well as delegates assigned from Nigerian States of All Nigerian American Congress members in Nigeria and the United States. The resolution passed were as follows: 1. The voting right act of Nigerians in the Americas and Diaspora. This resolution calls for the immediate granting of Nigerians in United States, Canada and the diaspora, the right to vote for Nigerian presidency and the granting of 3 senatorial seats and 6 house of Assembly (House Representative seats) in the Nigerian senate and Nigerian House of Representatives, to the constituency of Nigerians in North America and the diaspora. The bill was sponsored by Dr. Martin Okafor ANAC Del. from Atlanta, Georgia, Peter Agho M.D. ANAC Del. New York, Okey Mbonu ESQ, ANAC Del. Prince Georges County, Maryland, and Bright Aregs ANAC Del, Los Angeles, California. 2. Social Security Employment Enterprise and Health Development Act. (SEEHD) Sponsored by Dan Edokpolo Austin M.D. ANAC Del .Fairfax, Virginia, Abdul Lateef Kareem M.D. ANAC Del. Chicago, Illinois, Stanley Onye ANAC Del. Mitchellville, MD, Aliyu Mustafa ANAC Del. Lanham, MD. This bill calls for the commencement of three programs to be started here in the United States and then introduced to Nigeria. A. A Nigerian Social Security System that is combined with Unemployment benefit program. It will provide payment for participants when they become unemployed for three months and also pay benefits commencing from age 65. This program will allow Nigerians to participate from Nigeria as well from ANAC members in the United States and North America. A small monthly payment is made while participants are employed and the employer matches such contribution monthly. Benefits will be paid both in the United States and in Nigeria. B. A Medical Development Assistant Program that would allow members to pay minimum monthly contribution and the employer matches the contribution and a quality private health care program is developed for participants in Nigeria. The benefits of this program is mainly for use in Nigeria and it is intended to infuse capital in developing a system of Health Care in the sad state of Health Care in Nigeria today, where there is no comprehensive health care system. This program is also intended to be planned and commenced from the United States and to be extended into Nigeria. C. An Emergency (Disaster) Relief Program. This program is to obtain very minimal monthly funding from ANAC members to be kept away in special funds, to be available for use in times of natural disaster or national emergency. It would also help develop emergency and disaster recovery system with modern International technologies, as that which Nigerian American have the capabilities of developing and bringing them to assist disaster regions in time of need. 3. Declaring Nigeria in Health Care Crisis. This bill is symbolic, it simply declares the state of Health Care in Nigeria as needing life support, to clear the way for All Nigerian American Congress to seek all necessary resources and marshall all available assistance to face the deplorable state of Health care in Nigeria. We are quite confident the full House will overwhelmingly support these sound initiatives, commented the Chair of the Organizing Committee, Dan Edokpolo Austin M.D., who is also the Chairman of the Upper house, the Senate version of All Nigerian American Congress. A delegate representing Virginia and regional Upper house for South South of Nigeria. These programs would run primarily from the US, planned, operated and powered by our technological, Trust and Banking standards in the United States, making it quite corruption proof, which is a concern when you are dealing with Nigerian operations. We have designed the computer systems, the It networks and administrative systems are all in place. A demonstration was made to the Committee members via IT/Internet video tel-conferencing and all the delegates were impressed. We are quite ahead of our counterparts in Nigeria, put we must work with them and come side by side with our brothers across the sea. Its a responsibility we must leave behind for the next generation, we owe it to the good will of our parents in the fifties, sixties and seventies that invested in our educations. However the horrible corruption that is continuing today in Nigeria must stop. The average Nigerian has no hope, and no reason to believe in Nigeria anymore. These are the type of programs that will begin to restore hope and dignity to the average Nigerian. We can turn the mess around, and we in the United States and Canada are just trying to help jump start the process. Much gratitude to the the anti-corruption program of President Olusegun Obasanjo, it has given a lot of reason for optimism. There is light at the end of the tunnel, when we hear about folks like Ribadu, the Central Bank Governor Saludo, the Minister of Finance Ms Iweala, Rufai and a host of other popular and unsung heroes, who are trying to change business as usual in Nigeria. Its especially painful for us, when we do two or three jobs, first to put food on the table in the US, pay the bills and then work collectively at sending about fifteen billion dollars to Nigeria, to take care of the helpless masses, while the country's revenues ends up in some cash lost accounts and ill gotten wealth outside the country. The group has began an elaborate plan to fund a campaign in Nigeria for these resolutions if the bills passes the full house on November 19th, 2005 congressional session. The President of Nigeria has been invited along with senior official of his cabinet, to a special town hall meeting with senior United States officials to discuss Nigerian American Economic relations with a focus on the anti-corruption program of the Nigerian government. To keynote the United States delegation is United States Congress ranking member of the Committee on Africa Donald Payne. The image is already changing and All Nigeria American Congress is going to be working diligently at moving forward a positive image for Nigeria. The consultant group of Echols and Company International of Washington, DC has been assisting the group and on a report to the Committee affirmed that the organization really can not at this time afford his cost, but however he understands the immense task that is before this group, which is long overdue. A group of this caliber with a unit voice to represent the estimated 2-4 million Nigerians and their descendants in North America is extremely crucial to the developmental hopes of Nigerian Americans. We are committed to this good cause he affirmed and many in the corridors of power want to do anything they can to help this group, because we see a big potential here, especially with the excellent vision and profound sense of organization, only that the group stay focused on what is best for Nigeria, and not any private group or regional interest, the consultant emphasized. The Echols group, headed by Randall Echols, who is very familiar with Nigerian political and business developments, having represented numerous international organizations on African affairs and with more than twenty years of experience on Nigerian and African issues. One fact already stands out with this group which is excellent, its non regional, it has intellectual minds of all works of life, and its processes are very open, transparent and progressive. I am especially impressed with Dr. Dan E. Austin and his tireless energy at working on this, its indeed a good cause. We are looking forward to November 19th, and if these bills passes, we will work and implement the bills here with ANAC in the United States and work at raising the necessary funds to assist the program awareness and development in Nigeria.

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2005

MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS MEETS WITH ALL NIGERIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS EXECUTIVES

A team of All Nigerian American Congress executive led by current Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Upper house of Delegates Dr. Dan Edokpolo Austin (Del. South South Nigeria) met with a team of United States Congress members on Thursday, October 27th, 2005 at the United States Congress Rayburn Building. The group was on special invitation of the United States Congress committee on Africa and International relation's ranking members Donald Payne of New Jersey. Also present in the meeting was Randy Echols a private consultant in Washington, DC , Mr. Okey Mbonu the Sec. General for the Upper House of Trustees and Mohammed Bagudu (Del. Northern Nigeria, Trustee). The meeting followed an earlier meeting when Dan E. Austin M.D., also President and Chief Executive Officer of Cignet Health Corp. met with numerous members of the United States Congress Black Congressional Caucus for a special evening refreshment and acquaintance reception. The group talked about numerous issues of concern to Nigerian Americans and all Nigerians that reside in North America. The ranking US Congressman from the 8th congressional district of New Jersey talked a lot about his vast experience in dealing with United States policies on Africa and lamented that the vast potentials of Nigeria as a great country especially among African nations has yet to be actualized. Top on the agenda was the present anti-corruption program of the present administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. The congressman expressed his desire to see the success of this program and encouraged All Nigerian American Congress to channel its resources and energies toward assisting the Nigerian administration to continue this effort, since corruption was the single most impeding factor in preventing the progress of Nigeria in the global sphere of progress. The mild mannered and graciously eloquent congressman continued by elaborating on the need of Nigerian economy to diversify and how the Nigerian community in the United States and North America has to take its place in bringing about the necessary initiative and prompting both the United States government and Nigerian government at seeing the progress in this front. There need to be this forum he stressed, we want to talk to them about Agriculture, low level manufacturing, better trade and we don't get to far. There is estimated about 2-4million Nigerians and their descendants presently in the United States. And this group boast of professionals in excess of over 40 percent, in my district alone in New Jersey, Nigerian professional groups led all other immigrant groups in Medical and Nursing profession. We have numerous small to moderate size companies springing up in this group and its not a surprise that the group across the United States is now the single largest economic donor to the country of Nigeria, even with all its oil revenues. More than any single country or any institution give to Nigeria in aid. The Congressman commended the effort of this group in organizing the Nigerians groups across the United States, for having worked with the different regional groups which are a common place even in migrant groups in the United States, the Yoruba groups in the United States in the Yoruba Alliance, the Nigerian Northern groups headed by the Zumunta Associations, the Igbo groups notable is the World Igbo Congress and the South South Coalition with the Edo National Association, Akwa Ibom/Cross River and River/Bayelsa Foundations. A unified voice that would speak to us about the aspirations of Nigerians that reside in the United States and hopefully this group would become a well respected voice to change the poor image of Nigerians in the United States and indeed roll up its sleeve and work at changing Nigeria as a country to reach its potentials in the world economic and political scene. In response Dr. Dan Edokpolo Austin, thanked the Congressman for his relentless effort to support the causes of African people and the warm reception granted to All Nigerian American Congress. Presented an invitation to the Congressman to keynote the All Nigerian American Congress session scheduled for November, 18-19th, 2005 at the Hyatt regency, Reagan National, Crystal City, (Washington DC). The subject of a special town Hall Meeting would be US-Nigerian Economic Relations and Anti-Corruption program of the Nigerian Administration, and senior officials of the Nigerian Administration to be headed by the President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo has been invited to be panelist in a special town hall meeting, to discuss with the United States top level officials responsible for Nigerian American relations. The Congressman as a ranking member of the congressional committee on Africa accepted the invitation and did confirm that he would keynote the event with some prominent issues he has experienced in his years in the United States Congress committee on African relations. Dan Austin M.D. on behalf of the delegation of All Nigerian American Congress, assured the Congressman of the resolve of the group to continue its effort at working with the Nigerian government and the United States government at bringing Nigeria on track to pressing towards the mark. Indeed we have work to do and we have started by rolling up our sleeves. The objectives are to come side by side of the administration, push transparency, accountability and continue to press on these important issues until the weekends give way. The fact is that the issues at the helm of Nigerians problems can not stand when resolved elements who take an upright stand, come at it methodically. The country and Nigerians in the United States have the potentials and we have proven ourselves under the best training the world have to offer today in the United States, and we are continuing now as we are coming to age, by organizing an effective grassroots support and financial forum, the next step is to begin a dialogue and discussing effective and realistic plans to commence joint programs with the Nigerian administration, both from private and public sectors. We have the manpower, the technology and just some more financial organization, we would have what it takes to work with all the necessary groups at bringing the needed progress to our people. Its a challenge that requires a Long distance race approach, and by God's grace we are on the good side on this one. Dr. Austin, Mr Mbonu and Mr. Mohammed then thanked the Congressman for accepting the invitation to keynote the event and promised to keep up the good works. The Congressman expressed his hope that this is a long awaited beginning for Nigerians in the United States and that he would work with all his might to see the success of All Nigerian American Congress.

Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 19:07:25 -0700

SPECIAL PRESS REQUEST FOR NIGERIAN MEDIA FROM ALL NIGERIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS.

Upon our open invitation to the Nigerian news media to actively participate with US, (Press Release) on our first congressional session and festivities for November 18-19, 2005 session, we have received a lot of expressed notification of intention to attend from many editors from numerous Nigerian media. We are very encourage and we would like to extend more assistance in making this coverage as wide as possible to Nigerian media.

We the organizing committee and Trustees of All Nigerian American Congress would like also to ask the editors and publishers of the different news media to release a report to numerous Nigerians who have previously resided in the United States or Canada (now in Nigeria) who would want to be involved in our All Nigerian American Congress session. They should visit our website www.anacweb.org, click on membership or delegates/trustees, complete a membership application or vie for delegate for a Nigerian State and plan to attend our November session. We will do all we can to assist their attendance. They may call 301-423-0162 or email memberservices@anacweb.org Director of Member Services for ANAC Trustees. We look forward to this excellent working relationship.

Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2005 11:00:14 -0700

ALL NIGERIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS
PRESS RELEASE, Oct. 19, 2005

All Nigerian American Congress, a conglomerate body that represents the estimated 2-4 million people of Nigerian descent in the United States of America and Canada (North America), is holding its first Congressional event in Washington, DC USA, with special Town Hall meeting to partner senior political United States officials as participating panelist, including State Department Condoliza Rice, Mayor Anthony Williams of Washington, DC, Prince Georges County executive Jack Johnson with the President Republic of Nigerian, Olusegun Obasanjo leading the Nigerian Delegation, with Minister of Finance Ms Iweala, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Saludo and Mallam Ribadu of Financial Crimes Commission, to an American Nigeria Social Economic forum and focus on the Anti-Corruption program of the Republic of Nigeria. The event is scheduled for November 18th and 19th, at the Hyatt
Regency, Ronald Reagan International Airport, Washington DC. The Town hall meeting style will focus on questions from a moderation panel of five persons, to be led by a panel of media persons in the United States and senior delegates of All Nigerian American Congress. The special focus is to find avenues to increase direct economic activities between businesses in the United States and Nigeria with particular emphasis on the Anti-corruption program of the present administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. The All Nigerian American Congress sees corruption and indiscipline as the single most important barrier hampering economic growth between businesses in the two spheres. We are particular in focusing on continuing this present anti-corruption campaign for the long haul, it should be a marathon, to fight this cancer in us. Nigerian Americans contribute about 15 billion US dollars annually to the Nigerian Economy, that is greater than any single Foreign assistance from any country or institution in the world. We like to see the fruits of this investment and the hope and aspirations of our Nigerian descent is seriously called to question if we don't participate in the destiny of Nigeria. The goal is to bring to light the economic capabilities and progress of Nigerian Americans, in order to foster the ties between us and the continent. Preselected questions would be taken from the screened audience consisting of mainly All Nigerian American Congress delegates from the 50 States of America and some Canadian Provinces. The congress is suppose to pass a few resolutions earlier in the day. Prominent among the resolutions been circulated is a resolution calling on the Nigerian Governance to recognizeand grant to the Nigerian Descendants in North America a three senatorial (Non-voting seats)in the Nigerian Senate and six congressional delegates seats (Non voting) in the House of Representatives in Abuja, to the Nigerians residing in North American, sponsored jointly by the delegates from Atlanta, Georgia and California, headed by Dr. Martin Okafor (Del. Atlanta) and Dr. Bright Aregs (Del. California). A second bill on the Health care crisis in Nigeria and remedy is also sponsored by Dan E. Austin M.D. (Del. Virginia) and Prof. Cyril Enwonwu (Del.
Maryland) of the University of Maryland.

The two day occasion kicks off on Friday November, 18th at 5:00pm, with registration, welcome reception for dignitaries and some open forum sections. Then continue Saturday with Congressional Sessions from 8:00am to 3pm. The Town Hall Meeting with the President of Nigeria and United State Secretary of State, Washington DC mayor begins at 4:00pm. and later in the
Night a Gala Night Fund raiser featuring Nigerian High life music, Soukous Music King live on stage with Shamita El Diego with Lagos Night, Sweet Mother Medley and more. Over one thousand delegates and invited guest from across the United States and Nigeria are expected to be in attendance. This event and the coming to recognition of the Nigerian American groups only
high lights the appearance in the scene of the Nigerian migrant population from the sixties, seventies and eighties seeking higher education in the United States. This group and their descendants are now coming of age, boasting of excellence in academic, technological and corporate sector in the American economy. This is a quarterly event, the next congressional Session is scheduled for March/April 2006. You may contact us email memberservices@anacweb.org, call 301-423-0162 or visit our web sitewww.anacweb.org

NIGERIAN PRESIDENCY 2007; NOMINATIONS START IN ANAC ATLANTA SUMMIT: AUGUST 18-19TH, 2006

Trustees, Delegates, Members

We have commenced the search for Diaspora candidacy for President Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2007. The door of opportunity for a Diaspora Presidency 2007 could not be any better than this time around. The present Nigerian Leadership is open to a Diaspora candidate, partly because of problems finding local candidacy suitable to continue the anti-corruption program in Nigeria. If you are interested in National leadership in Nigeria 2007 and you are from the diaspora,

COME TO ATLANTA ANAC 2006 SESSION: WE WOULD COMMENCE THE NOMINATION PROCESS TO GET DELEGATES SUPPORT FOR ONE UNIFORM DIASPORA CANDIDATE FOR 2007. INVITE YOUR SUPPORTERS, DELEGATES COUNT WOULD BEGIN IN ATLANTA.

COME ONE, COME ALL:

ANAC, NIDO AND ALL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDED. WE WILL STUMP, COLLECT DELEGATES VOTES ACCROSS ALL CHAPTERS IN THE USA,CANADA, (FROM ATLANTA, TO CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, TEXAS, FLORIDA, MARYLAND, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, SEATTLE, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, TORONTO, BOSTON), RAISE FUNDS FOR
DIASPORA PRESIDENCY FINAL UNIFORM CANDIDATE FOR 2007, THEN HEAD ON TO ABUJA TO PRESENT OUR DIASPORA CANDIDATE TO THE LEADERSHIP AND ELECTORATES OF NIGERIA.

WE ALSO HAVE OPENING FOR CHAIRMANSHIP OF SOME ANAC STATE CHAPTERS AND MEMBERSHIP IN INFLUENTIAL ANAC NATIONAL COMMITTEES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION email
MEMBERSERVICES@ANACWEB.ORG
CALL CONTACTS BELOW.
Send request via email to
memberservices@anacweb.org to indicate your interest to contest as a candidate for Presidency Nigeria 2007.

Recongnized Candidates:

1. Hon. Akeem Bello (Upper House Delegate, ANAC North Carolina). Party
affiliation - The New Democratic Party of Nigeria.

2. Godson Nnaka (Attorney and Investment banker, Baltimore, Maryland).
Party affiliation - None

3. Issa Odidi (Business mogul, CEO of Intelli Pharmaceuticals, Toronto,
Canada). Party affiliation - The New Democratic Party of Nigeria.

Gordon Ellison
Acting Executive Director
All Nigerian American Congress

ANAC Georgia in Collaboration with All Nigeria America Congress [ANAC]
Proudly Presents Two Days of fun-filled activities in Atlanta Georgia,
gateway to the South.

Event: Inauguration of Georgia State Chapter of ANAC/Summer Convention.

Attractions include: Gala night cultural extravaganza, food, music,
dancing, VIP speeches, His excellencies Hon. Victor Bosah, Nigerian
Consulate General Atlanta and Special Guest, Hon. Prince R. Aderele,
Nigerian Consulate General, New York will be attending. Vendors please
contact Paul Oranika or Dr Martin Okafor.
Date: Friday August 18th and Saturday August 19th
Place: Beautiful Westin Hotel at the Atlanta International Airport.
Reserve online at:
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=0606210042&key=804CE

Contacts
Dr. Martin Okafor 404-771-4891
Mr. Paul Oranika 770-401-5008
Mrs. Grace Clark 678-442-9491
Dr. FemiAjayi 770-364-7171
Mr. Bayo Idowu 678-478-9663

Dr. Mohammed Ladan 678-458-1006
Mr. Louis Ebodaghe 404-512-9699

Paul Okechukwu Oranika
Communications Director,
ANAC Georgia