In the last twenty years, the number of international migrants around the world has increased 200% from 100 to 200 million per year. As a matter of fact, there is a phenomenal growing interest amongst young Nigerians migrating to Europe and America in search of greener pastures. By so doing they help in the continual advancement of these continents, and further strengthen the brain drain initiative while leaving Nigeria untouched. Unfortunately, these migrants have more difficulty than permanent residents, in the country of destination, accessing services such as health, housing and education, and are often the target of unfair policies and discrimination by local citizens. These students and professionals who make up a large chunk of the migrants are unaware of the steps to take in surviving and living over there, problems they might encounter, challenges in relocating, and untapped opportunities here in Nigeria. A lot of young people are faced daily with confusion, discouragement, disenchantment, disarray, injustice, advance fee fraud, tribalism and general decay pervading the whole society. These social evils have left a lot of young Nigerians in the dungeon of despair and have beclouded their vision to be patriotic and professional.

Hence, the mass migration of young Nigerians to seek greener pastures in a foreign land(s). There are about five million young Nigerians living abroad, with over 20,000 doctors, 5,000 lawyers, 5000 technological experts living in the United States.

It is in light of the foregoing that the Nigerian Professionals (NiPRO) International Network conceptualized the READY..? SET..? STAY NIGERIA! project. The initiative will explore opportunities, discuss possible impediments and doubts, and also emphasize the incentives and existing opportunities in Nigeria and offer advice to practicing entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs; thereby drawing an accurate picture of business in Nigeria. It will also discourage Nigerians from running overseas to live there but to stay in Nigeria to help in the ongoing developmental works. It will also compliment the efforts of the READY...? SET..? GO Africa initiative for Africans in Diaspora. NiPRO wishes to inform all young Nigerian professionals, upcoming professionals and graduate students of its seminar scheduled for September 30, 2006 at The Conference and Training Centre Lagos, Elephant House, 16th and 17th Floors, 214 Broad Street, Lagos. Registeration is now on. Please contact Mr. Victor Gotevbe on 08033057677 or email gotebs@gmail.com for registeration details. Only limited seats are available.


This particular event will attempt to answer the following questions:

1. What are the benefits of being a Nigerian citizen?
2. What are the tangible benefits of holding a Nigerian passport?
3. What opportunities exist in Nigeria?
4. Why should Nigerians be patriotic?
5. How can young Nigerians build a new Nigeria?
6. Why National pride amidst poverty?

DESIRED OUTCOME

 Expansion of professional horizons for all participants.
 Economic empowerment and capacity building for all participants.
 Development of measurable and realistic action plans and execution of subsequent programmes.
 Promotion of the Nigerian brand.
 Further develop and strengthen the NiPRO Network.
 Acquiring and sharpening networking skills.
 Build and sustain a website (www.readysetstayng.org) projecting the positive image of Nigeria.


RESOURCE PERSONS/FACILITATORS

The resource persons are well experienced young professionals who will analyze the issues of Migration. A lead paper will be presented by Mr. Edi Lawani, MD of Edi Lawani and Associates (Alternative Approach Konsultancy), an entertainment Communications company. Mr. Lawani is a trained and seasoned journalist who later worked with PMAN, got involved in Artist Management, Events Management and now into Show Production.

The panelists include Mr. Isaac Anjorin of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Miss Morayo Akabashorun, AGM NiPRO representing the Nigerian Diaspora; and Mr. Oyebanjo Okunnuga, a young entrepreneur, CEO, Kubacle Clothing and Mr. Chidi Enwerem, lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Lagos State University. Victor Gotevbe, General Manager NiPRO Nigeria and Personnel Officer of Vanguard Media Limited will serve as the Moderator.

Other guests include Lari Williams veteran actor.

OBJECTIVES

The Ready…? Set…? Stay Nigeria!!! programme for young Nigerians professionals desires to achieve the following objectives:

 To empower young Nigerians into joining the course of rebuilding Nigeria with their expertise and resources.
 To stimulate creativity amongst young Nigerian professionals, upcoming professionals and graduate students.
 To expose existing entrepreneurial opportunities amongst young Nigerians.
 To promote and strengthen networking amongst participants on youth development issues.
 To facilitate the exchange of leads, recommendations and ideas.
 To develop action plans and execute a programme for young Nigerian professionals development while supplementing already existing initiatives and encourage the advancement of fresh ones.

ABOUT NiPRO

NiPRO International is a global network of motivated young Nigerian professionals working together to build a prosperous, united and stronger Nigeria now and for the future. NiPRO is a subdivision of the AFRican PROfessionals (AfriPRO) Network Inc.

Our vision (worldwide)
To build a new positive image and appreciation for young Nigerian professionals and Nigeria, her culture and her people!"

Our Mission
Fostering the growth of highly talented, socially responsible and dynamic young Nigerian professionals to
- Address issues that affect young Nigerians
- Build meaningful contacts
- Cultivate impeccable professionalism
- Discover business etiquette & protocol
- Exchange ideas & visions
- Foster Travelers' Philanthropy in Nigeria

NiPRO has five pillars upon which we are building the Network:
- Professional Development
- Wealth Creation & Investment
- Cultural & Political Awareness
- Technology
- Community Service i.e. Medical & Technology Missions via Travelers' Philanthropy

VENUE

The Conference and Training Centre Lagos is located on the Island; a central location and has a very serene environment which allows for learning and good interaction. It is situated within the Elephant House with working elevators.


SUBJECT MATTER OF THE SEMINAR

The Seminar would be focused on issues bordering on Migration, Immigration, Patriotism, Economic Empowerment, Leadership, Citizenship, Nation Building and Networking, amongst others.


EVALUATION OF PROGRAMME

Monitoring will be an ongoing activity and Evaluation will be periodic. This will be conducted through interviews and open-ended questionnaires from participants of all our events. Periodic reports will be prepared that identify the major findings of the evaluation and how they have been used to improve our events. The services of professional evaluators will be engaged in due course.

On behalf of NiPRO International, I am delighted to announce to you that the Nigerian Professionals (NiPRO) Nigeria (www.niproinc.com) is collaborating with the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), a not -for- profit organization sponsored by the Pat Utomi Legacy Foundation based in Lagos, Nigeria. CVL was officially launched on the 10th of March 2004.
The centre was inspired by the need to bridge the gap between knowledge and results in our society by empowering young people with leadership skills and values to enable them make lasting contributions in entrepreneurship, business, civil society and public life.

According to Miss Pamela Egbo, the Executive Director of CVL , who paid a courtesy visit to my office and was in attendance at the last NiPRO Nigeria Workshop, she said that the Centre will provide the following resources:

Leadership Development Workshops: We will run workshops for young people on principle-centred paths to leadership in entrepreneurship, managerial roles in business, civil society, and public life.
CVL Membership Club: A fee-paying membership club to cater for the leadership needs of undergraduates and young professionals between the age of 18-35.It will provide a forum for debate and brainstorming. Members will have full access to CVL Library and an opportunity to rub minds with other young people.
Mentoring programs: Our Mentoring programs cater for the need of the young by building extensive mentoring relationship through which those who have shown commendable leadership in their areas endeavour can mentor other people.
Community Development Services: CVL will develop programs that identify the needs of communities and work with them to effect change.
Promote Reading Culture: We aim to a reading culture which will involve media campaigns to encourage reading and the routine free distribution of books to schools and libraries across the whole federation. There will also be a book prize with an annual award of one million naira and a complete desktop Zinox computer system valued at thousands of Naira.
Leadership Consulting: we identify leadership needs within organizations and provide bespoke solutions.
Leadership Research & Fellows Program: The centre will host Research fellows attracted from around the world to research Leadership challenges in the Nigerian culture.

There are some people whom the Centre is entrusted to namely:
Prof. Pat Utomi, Rev. Father George Ehusani, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Dr. Felix Asogwa, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, Mrs. Njideka Anyadike, Mr. Ladi Olajide, Mr. Ubong Essien, Mr. Folu Ayeni , Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Arc. G.N Jidenma, Mr. Larry Umeche and Chief Chris Asoluka

Please you can call or write to me for further information about the CVL club.

Victor Gotevbe
General Manager of NiPRO Nigeria
gotebs@niproinc.com
234-803 3057 677

Today is a memorable day in my life. It marks four years of challenging labour. Years in the employment market.I thank God for the opportunity having being empowered economically. Where I work has provided so many bridges to my success. And TIG family is one amongst many people
the job has made me come in contact with.

My only sadness is the fact that there are still many people like me out there with potentials wasting away because of economic hardship and perhaps also the thought of despair has eaten deep into their minds as a result of what they see and experience. My advise therefore would be to call for the youths to also look inwards to find out what potentials they have, seek mentorship and dare the impossible. It takes the hammer of persistence to drive the nail of success.

This is to invite all Nigerians home and abroad to attend the forthcoming NiPRO convention scheduled to take place on January 2nd, 2004 in Lagos Nigeria. Come and experience a new life, new opportunities in a new leap year. For further enquiries, visit www.niproinc.com

General Manager
NiPRO Nigeria
234-803 305 7677

Wow! For those who know Dare Art Alade, Nigeria's hottest D.J./V.J.96.9 cool FM; an international entertainer and impressario, just back from the US will be hosting Nigerian Professionals USA $ UK Inc. on 2nd January, 2003. What a wonderful way of beginning your year. The event promises to create a forum to facilitate networking and the exchange of ideas between young Nigerian professionals towards a common goal of a prosperous Nigeria through the synergies of Local and Foreign expertise! Our Antecedents in the US and UK can speak volume of our credibility. So what are you waiting for? Join the network whether you are at home or abroad.

For more information contact: www.niproevents.com or info@niproevents.com