NICOM, originating from a disbanded Student Union, formed a
Constitution Committee in 1986
for inclusivity. The 2015 constitution aimed to balance power,
leading to democratic elections and
the current President, Hon Chukwuemeka Ujor. A 2018 Committee
oversees a leadership
transition process.
The Nigerian Community in Brazil-NICOM (Communidade Unificada
Nigeriana No Brasil) is an off-short of the defunct Student Union
which was formed by Group of Nigerian Students who came from Nigeria
to study at the University of São Paulo (USP) and other universities
in Brazil. The first President of the Student Union was Dr. Lawrence
Ifidon (1977-1983). After the Student Union came to an end; members
of the Union and other Nigerians decided that it was high time to
form an encompassing Organization consisting of Nigerians from all
works of life residing in Brazil.
A Constitution Committee was put in place (1986) and the members of
the Committee elaborated a Constitution which was promulgated to
guide the conduct of intending members. Under the auspices of His
Excellency; Mr. Muntari Abdu Kaita, Consul General of the Consulate
General in São Paulo, a reviewed edition of the constitution of
NICOM was promulgated on the 12 of March 2015. The Constitution
review committee was chaired by late Chief Eric lyke Agoha. The
review had the intuition of rendering the Constitution more
representative in promoting a better balance of power or equity
between the office of President and other members of Executive.
The supremacy of the Constitution was declared as sacrosanct, the
Association was formed as a membership Organization and none profit
oriented body. The first democratic elected President of the
Nigerian Community in Brazil was Mr. Lawrence Balogun. At the end of
his tenure, a caretaker Committee was instituted led by Mr. Joseph
Ozugbo, he later conducted another democratic election which
swore-in Mr. Beruck C. Nwabasili, his administration lasted for
almost 9 years (1999-2008) (nine). Another election was conducted,
this time Mr. Theodore C. Nwaike began his Presidency which lasted
for almost 7 years (seven) (2008-2015) A third Democratic election
was held on the 11 of July 2015.
Dr. Emmanuel O.T Oluwatuyi was sworn-in as President of NICOM. His
was sworn on the 1" of August 2015 and his tenure is still in
progress for reasons what would be mentioned in the course of this
Report. On the 13th of October 2018 a 7 member Committee was
inaugurated by the President. They were given the mandate to
organize and supervise a new Presidential election process that will
usher a new dispensation of the Nigerian Community EXCO in Brazil.
The trajectory traced by the Various Presidents who have Governed the Nigerian Community all led towards the same objective as enshrined in our Constitution: 1. To provide the necessary representation and to equip Nigerians with the basic orientation/ knowledge of the socio-Political Milieu of Brazil. 2. To defend the fundamental human right of the Nigerian; to protect and guarantee his sovereign rights and duties within the confines of the Brazilian Society as defined in the Brazilian Constitution. 3. To provide Members with means to pursue and realize their individual economic sustenance through Job opportunities so that they could achieve their personal happiness. 4. To assist members in providing viable avenues to enhance their educational pursuits and to offer useful orientation in legitimate business or investments.