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Showcasing country’s rich cultural heritage, cuisine, stoking national pride
By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Philippines (NIDOPHIL), under the leadership of Bishop Tony Marioghae, presiding bishop of The Evangelical Ark Mission (TEAM) International, one of the most influential African preachers in Asia, hosted a grand thanksgiving and Christmas celebration on December 13.
The event at the TEAM Convention Center, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, attracted Nigerian professionals, community leaders, ethnic representatives, students and distinguished Filipino guests from various sectors.
A source said: “Not only did it mark a defining moment in the history of Nigerian diaspora organisation in the Philippines, it was a colourful showcase of Nigerian cuisine, traditional attire, music and cultural expression, reflecting both national pride and deep gratitude to God for a year of remarkable progress.”
In recognition of outstanding goodwill and support to Nigerians in the Philippines, several prominent Filipino citizens were honoured with the prestigious “Friend of Nigeria” award.
It was gathered that a “major highlight of the occasion was the formal presentation of the newly crafted NIDOPHIL Constitution to the General Assembly. The document was overwhelmingly ratified by members and subsequently signed into law by the NIDOPHIL leadership. In a rare demonstration of unity, the constitution was endorsed by leaders of Arewa, Oduduwa, Ohanaeze and the Niger Delta communities in the Philippines. Officials of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Philippines witnessed this historic milestone, which many described as unprecedented in the annals of NIDO globally.
In a bold move, the NIDOPHIL leadership announced and implemented a financial empowerment policy, awarding grants of 100,000 Pesos each to the four major regional associations in the Philippines to stimulate entrepreneurship among Nigerians.
“This intervention, valued at approximately USD2,000 per group, represents the first time any NIDO chapter worldwide has executed such a structured economic empowerment initiative.”
Within less than one year, NIDOPHIL has also recorded remarkable institutional and technological advancements. An automated official website and a vibrant Facebook platform were launched, attracting thousands of visitors and followers within weeks. Beyond visibility, the organisation actively advocated for the immigration and welfare rights of Nigerians, addressed student-related challenges, and committed hundreds of thousands of pesos to emergency interventions for Nigerians who were sick, homeless, bereaved, or otherwise in distress.
Exploratory engagements were held with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to lay the groundwork for sustainable business partnerships between Nigeria and the Philippines. These efforts further positioned NIDOPHIL as both a community advocate and a bridge for bilateral economic cooperation.
In his presidential address, Bishop Marioghae welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, officials of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Philippines, Nigerian regional leaders, the NIDOPHIL Executive Council and Nigerians from across the country, emphasising that their presence symbolised a collective commitment to unity, responsibility, and progress.
Reflecting on the inauguration of the current executive on October 1, 2024, he recalled that the initial mandate was to complete the registration of NIDOPHIL and produce a workable constitution. However, driven by a deep passion for service, the leadership deliberately expanded its commitments to include welfare, advocacy, digital transformation and economic empowerment. Against considerable odds, and within 12 months, these commitments were fulfilled by the grace of God—achievements that many NIDO chapters globally have not attained in years.
Bishop Marioghae noted that NIDOPHIL, once characterised by silence, division and dysfunction, had been transformed into one of the most visible, searched, united and progressive NIDO organisations in the world. This transformation, he acknowledged, was significantly enabled by the courageous reforms of former Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye and the pragmatic, reform-minded leadership of the Chargé d’Affaires, Adeshina Edward Oloje.
He underscored that NIDOPHIL’s success was anchored on consultation, cooperation and inclusion rather than imposition and control. He warned that any elected or appointed public official who governs with the mentality of an emperor is a potential tyrant and a threat to public welfare. According to him, leadership without measurable results and impact inevitably breeds discontentment and rebellion.
He described the mandate of the incumbent NIDOPHIL executive as unequalled and among the most consequential in modern times. Within one year, the organisation successfully celebrated Nigeria’s independence day in collaboration with the Embassy, re-registered NIDOPHIL after a decade of inactivity, appointed regional and committee leaders nationwide, and organised multiple town hall meetings and general assemblies funded entirely by the executive.
He highlighted NIDOPHIL’s strong advocacy record, including media engagements in Philippine and Nigerian outlets calling for the reconstruction of the Nigerian Embassy after the May 2024 fire, and sustained intervention on immigration-related challenges. He also detailed the organisation’s robust engagement with student welfare, including interventions on visa renewals, unjust deportations, conflict resolution within the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and support for NANS’ formal registration and constitutional development in the Philippines.
Technological innovation featured prominently in the address, with the launch of a world-class automated NIDOPHIL website, digital identity cards for registered members and platforms that allow seamless interaction, data management and dues payment. Additional initiatives included campaigns against cult-related violence and drug offences, content creation and monetisation training for Nigerians in Metro Manila, support for Nigeria’s First Lady during her official visit, mobilisation for Nigeria’s Miss Earth representative and sustained collaboration with the Embassy during national events.
Concluding his remarks, Bishop Marioghae encapsulated the philosophy of the administration with a simple but powerful declaration: “Promises made, promises kept.” He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian community, diplomatic partners, and friends of Nigeria for their trust and cooperation, and prayed for continued unity, progress, and divine blessing.
In his goodwill message, Adeshina Edward Oloje, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Philippines, commended the unprecedented unity, discipline and organisational maturity of Nigerians in the Philippines. He observed that in over 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Philippines, this was the first time Nigerians had collectively produced a constitution acceptable to all stakeholders. He praised NIDOPHIL’s leadership for enhancing Nigeria’s image through unity, proactive engagement, and constructive collaboration with Philippine institutions.
The Thanksgiving celebration, therefore, stood not merely as a festive gathering, but as a public testament to purposeful leadership, accountable governance, and a renewed Nigerian diaspora identity anchored in unity, service, and measurable impact.
