HISTORY

The Nigerian Community in Oregon and Southwest Washington (NCOSWA) was established in 1985. Since then, it has served as the heartbeat of the Nigerian community in this part of the United States. NCOSWA is an association of Nigerians, Nigerian-Americans and friends of Nigeria established to fund and engage in activities to meet specific goals and objectives.

Chronology of NCOSWA's activities:

• 8/1985 - Formation of a Task Force to develop a constitution for a Nigerian community organization
• 2/1986 - Formation of the Nigerian Professionals of Oregon (NPO) with Interim Officers
• 1986 - NPO voted to join the Organization of Nigerian Professionals in the USA (ONP-USA, Inc.)
• 11/1986 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 1986 - First charitable contribution to Garlington Memorial Fund for mental Health programs
• 11/1987 - First delegation of NPO to ONP-USA, Inc. Convention in New Orleans, LA
• 1987 - Hosting of the First Nigerian/ African American Economic Conference in Portland
• 1988 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 11/1989 - Hosting of the ONP-USA, Inc. National Convention in Portland, Oregon
• 1990 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 3/1992 - NPO Formed Nigerian Investment Club of Oregon (NICO): An investment partnership
• 1992 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 1994 - Fund Raising towards River Blindness Elimination Program in Nigeria
• 1994 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 1995 - Annual Summer Picnic established and held in August
• 1996 - NPO voted to withdraw its membership from the ONP-USA, Inc
• 1996 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 11/1997 - NPO Changed its name to NCOSWA
• 1998 - Annual Nigerian Day Banquet established and held in October
• 1998 - Provided financial support to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland
• 1998 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 1998 - United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) granted NCOSWA a 501(c) non-profit status
• 1999 - Presentation by Chief Inspector and Chief of US Customs Service
• 2000 - Established NCOSWA Website
• 2000 - Televised Roundtable Discussion on Nigeria
• 2000 - NCOSWA Represented at the First Nigerian Presidential Dialogue
• 2000 - Hosted the Consul General of Nigeria, Atlanta
• 2000 - Hosted Major Nigerian Art Exhibit at the Holiday Inn, Portland Oregon
• 2003 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 2005 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 2007 - Election and inauguration of new executive
• 2009 - Election and inauguration of new executive

VISION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Theme: To build bridges with other Nigerians, Nigerian and African Organizations, and the community at large.

Vision: Think globally and act locally to impact the community. To this end, NCOSWA pursues the best ideas possible, including but not limited to those developed by seasoned professionals all over the globe, and applies them to our individual and collective endeavors in our local community of residence.

Mission: To make genuine positive contributions to our host communities through our individual efforts and through NCOSWA's participation in various community activities.

Goals and Objectives:

• Foster and encourage good relations among members through activities that engender unity and national rapprochement.
• Establish funds and engage in activities that will help provide and improve medical equipment and accessories for community health care clinics and hospitals in Nigeria.
• Acquisition of a property to be named "THE NIGERIAN HOUSE" for cultural and civic activities.
• Foster good collegial relations. NCOSWA will stand by its membership when an occasion calls for our individual and/our collective action to the aid of a member, or other Nigerians or friends of Nigeria.
• Encourage the creation of a viable Nigerian Community that could serve as a credible voice for Nigeria and Nigerians in Oregon and Southwest Washington in particular, and the Pacific Northwest in general.
• Provide a forum for discussion, education, and exchange of information regarding our different professions through presentations, symposia, round-table panel discussions, seminars, conferences, and NCOSWA-sponsored educational and cultural activities.

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

The following members of the Executive Committee were elected to direct the affairs of the association for 2009 - 2010:

• Patrick Essien - President
• John Ette - Vice President
• Patrick Dinyan - Secretary
• Charles Archibong - Treasurer
• Peter Anyanwu - Public Relations Officer