NANI – (Nigeria Association Network Ireland)
NANI is a non-religious, non-political community development project founded in 2005 that supports the settlement and, empowers the emergence of a Nigerian voice in Ireland through development, representations, submissions and advocacy across Ireland guided by the principle of community development and inclusion of all. NANI partners with Nigeria Embassy, Nigerian projects in Ireland and various Irish Government agencies - Office ofMinister for Integration, CRAGA, Dublin City Council and Irish organisations including CAMARA Education, Equality Authority, Integration Centre, Immigrant Council to name a few.
It was officially launched by Irish government Minister Eamon O'Cuiv TD and Embassy of Nigeria Political Minster Akin Oyateru in June 2006. The Irish government and several generous philanthropies and foundations financially support NANI programmes.
The NANI achieve its works and objectives through the following:
- Developing innovative, high quality, rights based services that attempt to address emerging needs and gaps identified.
- Providing community support and intercultural programmes that assist people to attain their rights, achieve their true potential and build their capacity for progress.
- Challenging inequality and prejudice through the promotion of evidence based solutions to conceived social problems within our communities.
NANI has also indentified strongly with collaborative works in Nigeria, through works with States - Ogun, Imo, Ebonyi states -- in the areas of education and information communication technology, capacity building and exchange of knowledge between state legislators and key agencies in the Irish state at large.
Country Information
Country Facts
Nigeria, the most populous African nation is located on the western part of Africa got independence in 1960. Nigeria is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%, with Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%.
Lagos Nigeria is known as the biggest city of the country covering a total area of 300 sq km with a federal capital in Abuja. English is the official language of Nigeria which has a total population of over 155,031,164 (July 2007). Tin, coal and crude oil are the major industrial products while rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice, peanuts and millets are the main agricultural produce of Nigeria.
Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. For more details visit www.nigeria.ie and follow other links therein.