Association News/Announcements
ANOG-USA Press Release: "Memo to ANOG Member organizations in reaction to fuel subsidy withdrawal"
(January 13, 2012)
Dear ANOG Friends,
We are all aware of the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry or removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria. There has been several calls for the Nigerian Community in Georgia, under the auspices of ANOG, to hold peaceful demonstration to protest the unpopular withdrawal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. ANOG realizes the hardship Nigerians are going through due to this development.
ANOG Executive Committee rose from a long fully-attended meeting last night and resoundingly condemned the slow-reaction to the Boko Haram attacks as well as the manner in which the fuel subsidy withdrawal was handled. ANOG Exco, after extensive deliberation, review of the pros and cons, analysis of the timing and logistics, agreed to NOT organize any rally or participate in any mass demonstration in reaction to these events. Rather, ANOG will write a position paper, an open letter to the president.
Such letter would be presented to the Consul General and the Ambassador, and circulated in the news media as well as all Nigerian organizations. Also, ANOG is making attempts to reach out to CNN, Aljazera and VOA to record and broadcast an interview with ANOG leaders, where we can express our thoughts in a peaceful and forceful way, reasoning with the Federal Government on the need to rescind these decisions, and pressing for a more emphatic dislodgement of Boko Haram.
A meeting with the Federal Government officials has been scheduled for January 14th in Chicago, and a powerful delegation of Community Leaders from Georgia are billed to attend these meeting to dialogue with attending Federal Government officials and pass a message to President Goodluck Jonathan.
We are aware that some members of our community and some concerned Nigerians in Atlanta might be contemplating a peaceful rally, protest or march at the Consulate General office or at CNN. However we feel we can achieve greater results using other channels to register our reaction with these issues.
We commend the patriotism of all Nigerians in Georgia. We shall not be quiet. Our voices shall be heard. We shall be strategic, methodical and emphatic in our position with due cognizance of the Nigerian Community development focus of our organizations.
Please stay tuned for more details.
Regards,
Titus Olowokere - ANOG President
Yakubu Azi - ANOG General Secretary