The Nigerian Association of Western Australia (NAWA) has its root in the early 1980’s, when there were only about five or six Nigerian families living mostly in Perth. The intention was to have an informal forum for us to socialise with people with whom we share the same culture and aspirations and to provide support for one another whenever the need arose.

The early days of NAWA aimed at getting our children to know one another and to be able to identify with other people who they can confidently call their own brothers and sisters; as is the culture of their parents.

It is fair to say that, in those days (and because it was a small group of people with common socio-cultural identity and interests) NAWA did not have hotly contested positions or even finance arrangements; and for quite a long time we only had a president who was appointed based on his dedication and commitment to see the group flourish.

It is also fair to say that, in those days, most of our activities were organised around BYO’ s with lots of sharing and fair input from all. Even when elections held a few years later, there were not many people interested in being elected. Most were happy to serve when called upon to do so; and might one add, it was all fun.