To: Chairman (NIDOA, NIDOE, NIDO Asia, NIDO Africa), President/Chairmen, Nigerian Organisations in the Diaspora, All Nigerian in the Diaspora. COUNT DOWN TO JULY 25 This again is to remind Nigerians in the Diaspora of the coming Nigerian Diaspora Day and to underscore the importance and significance of Nigerians in the Diaspora, in particular, professionals in Science and Technology as well as those in the Healthcare and Mortgage industry participating in the conference. The Nigerian Diaspora Day is essentially to draw attention to Nigerians in the Diaspora as stakeholders in the Nigerian project, recognize their contributions to national development and celebrate their individual and collective success. 2. The Day will be marked with a number of activities, including the 2nd Science conference and others to be announced soon. If the first science conference last July was generally adjudged successful, this year's event promises to be bigger and better in terms of focus, the participation of government, the private sector, the universities and various professional organizations in Nigeria. The objective is to bring the private sector, universities, the government and the Nigerian Diaspora to work together and in partnership, in order to convert Nigeria's intellectual talent into a competitive advantage the way others have done. 3. With the theme: Strengthening Partnerships with the Nigerians in the Diaspora for National Science and Technology Development, our hope is to build on the success achieved last year and establish a permanent platform that would encourage development of synergy between Nigerians in the Diaspora and the Nigerian state, such that the Nigerian Diaspora could contribute in helping to promote Nigeria's economic growth and development. 4. This is why the conference and the parallel workshops would not only be thematic in focus, but would also be project oriented. Cooperation in project development, execution and management is one strategy by which the Diaspora can significantly impact on Nigeria's development now and in the future and in assisting the country address the urgent problems of unemployment and poverty. 5. There would thus be two main plenary sessions on energy and infrastructure development and capacity building two key issues that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable development in Nigeria. This would be followed by breakout syndicated sessions that would provide great and excellent opportunities for networking and collaboration between the Nigerian Diaspora and the universities, the private sector, professional groups in Nigeria and the governments. 6. I therefore wish to extend an invitation to all Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora especially those in science and technology (Biotech and Agriculture; Engineering Infrastructure and Environment; Manufacturing and Technology Parks, Incubation Centres; Information Communication Technology; Health, Basic and Applied Sciences; Space Science and Nuclear Technology) and those in the health insurance and mortgage industry. 7. Like last year, the conference organizers would be responsible for the hotel accommodation and local transportation in (Abuja) of participants from the Diaspora. Efforts are being made to secure discounted rates for air tickets from foreign air lines operating into Nigeria. However, given the topical issue of the Diaspora even among funding and development institutions, Nigerians in the Diaspora should explore the possibility of securing assistance to the conference, especially if they have some relationships with the agencies and institutions. 8. In addition, I am pleased to inform you that a few state governments have graciously indicated that they would bear the cost of providing transportation and hotel accommodation for their state indigenes who would be visiting the states from Abuja, after the conference in Abuja beginning from July 27. 9. So please register now. Registration will close first week of July 2006. To ensure a hitch free registration and participation, you are requested to register on our website nnvs-fmst.com Should there be any difficulties, please fill out the attached form and e-mail to: Mr. B. C. Amuzie - amuziebc@fmst-nnvs.com Mr. S. O. Momoh - nnvs_momoh@yahoo.com 10. We look forward to welcoming you to Abuja and to your participation at an event that offers you a great opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a country that we all dream of. Just a little effort by all of us, would make the difference we all desire. And in the words of Jumoke Akin-Taylor. "I am a Nigerian and the Change begins with me." Joe Keshi Coordinator (NNVS) Chairman, Local Organizing Committee