Some well-placed Nigerians in Vienna met for the second time with their Austrian counterparts on Friday 11th May in a crucial meeting to make plans to reactivate the Austro- Nigerian Friendship Society (ANFS).

At the meeting, participants had an exchange of views on the nature of activities that the Friendship Society should promote. They suggested that the society focus on the promotion of economic, social and cultural exchanges and dialogue between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Austria. A founding member of the society, Mr Clement Itamah, a Nigerian Immigration lawyer, explained further that the aim of the association was to strengthen Austria-Nigerian relations in all aspects of public and cultural life.

Mr Itamah revealed that the society would, in addition to working to contribute towards a wider knowledge of all aspects of Austrian and Nigerian cultures, arts and lifestyles, when fully operational, also aim at initiating and promoting debates on current economic, political and cultural issues in order to break down existing stereotypes. The society, he said, would also focus on fostering inter-personal and inter-organisational contacts between the two countries. In order to achieve the set objectives, Mr. Itamah said that the association planned to engage itself consistently in workshops, courses, films and theatre nights, opera and ball events. There would also be book readings and presentations, exhibitions, among others.

By the end of the meeting, these plans were discussed and adopted. All Executive Members of the society were also elected. Elected officials included Austrian and Nigerian citizens. These are as follows:

Mr. Clement Itamah--------------------- Secretary General

Professor Norbert Cyffer------------- President

(Professor of African Studies at the University of Vienna)

Mr. Olugbenga Oduala ----------------Vice-President

(Architect)

Mr Daniel Jokesch--------------------- Adviser

(Retired Austrian Civil Servant)

Dr. Georg Ziegelmeyer ------------Treasurer

(Lecturer University of Vienna)

Mr. Festus Imarhiagbe Deputy Treasurer

Also In attendances during the meeting were the Nigerian Ambassador, Ms. Maria O. Laose and some other senior members of the Nigerian Embassy, Vienna. The Ambassador, by virtue of her position was made one of the Honorary Presidents of the Society. The society would be nominating other Honorary Presidents soon.

At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador on behalf of the Nigerian Government expressed gratitude to the founding members of the society for their noble initiative to re-establish this forum for a Nigeria-Austria friendship, adding that the event would go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Nigerian Government and the Nigerian Embassy for an improvement in existing relations between Nigeria and Austria. 

She seized the opportunity of the meeting to inform that discussions had reached the final stage between Nigeria and Austria for the signing of a MoU on immigration matters, which would certainly remove any irritation in bilateral relations thus creating an auspicious atmosphere for the society to the achieve its worthy goals.

Friendship Societies are usually supported and encouraged by countries as a mechanism for the citizens to contribute to friendly relations between one another.