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Global Achievers Award for Nigeria 2013: The future is bright for Nigeria - and beyond!

Last update - Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 12:16 By Metro Éireann

With two Nigerian ambassadors gracing the occasion, and international superstar Dr Alban (of ‘It’s My Life’ fame) performing live, the recent Global Achievers Award for Nigeria surpassed all expectations. It would seem that all roads led to the Radisson Blu Dublin Airport Hotel with the cream of Nigerian diplomats, technocrats, clergy, businessmen, community leaders and their Irish well-wishers sharing a common wish for a revival and transformation in Nigeria.

With two Nigerian ambassadors gracing the occasion, and international superstar Dr Alban (of ‘It’s My Life’ fame) performing live, the recent Global Achievers Award for Nigeria surpassed all expectations.

It would seem that all roads led to the Radisson Blu Dublin Airport Hotel with the cream of Nigerian diplomats, technocrats, clergy, businessmen, community leaders and their Irish well-wishers sharing a common wish for a revival and transformation in Nigeria.

When Nigerian ambassador to Ireland Felix Pwol took to the podium to welcome guests, he chose to focus on the prospects of development in Nigeria as envisioned by the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan.

He listed several ongoing projects such as new railways linking important Nigerian cities, power generation and distribution, and plans for diaspora voting rights in the 2015 general elections.

Ambassador Pwol also identified some of the challenges confronting the administration, such as corruption and the need to educate the nine million ‘talakawas’, or street children.

He reassured Nigerians that the future was bright for those who work hard and maintained their belief.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian ambassador to Scandinavia spoke about the need to mobilise resources in the diaspora to reverse Nigeria’s ‘brain drain’ and bring about growth at home.

Ambassdaor Benedict Amobi – who formerly served as chargé d’affaires at the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin – identified several Nigerian achievers of the diaspora, such as Olusegun Agangan and Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, all of whom he said had excelled in their different roles in the present government.

He also noted that Nigeria was gradually being transformed by leaders like Donald Duke, Chime Sullivan, Babatunde Fashola and Rochas Okorocha, and noted that any positive experience gained here in Ireland would be invaluable to the development of Nigeria.

Lending their voices to those of the keynote speakers, the awardees all underscored the need to believe in the ‘Nigerian project’ and to concert their efforts in building a “country of our dreams” in tackling issues of great concern for the Nigerian people and potential investors alike.

 

Dr Alban Nwapa

Best known by his stage name Dr Alban, Nigerian-born Swedish musician and producer Dr Alban Nwapa is honoured for his outstanding achievements in music. Dr Alban has released eight studio albums but is best known for the 1992 global hit single ‘It’s My Life’, which led to sales of over five million albums and over six million singles. Music aside, the talented Dr Alban is also a qualified dentist. His award was presented by Frank Nwaubani.

 

Prof Sonny Nwankwo 

Director of the Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of East London, director of research and enterprise at the Royal Docks Business School and founding president of the International Academy of African Business and Development are three of the titles held by Prof Sonny Nwankwo. A visiting professor at universities across Africa, Europe and Australasia, he is honoured for his visionary achievements in entrepreneurship education. His award was presented by Wale Soyingbe

 

Felicia Olima

Founder and managing director of Citas College in Dublin, Felicia Oluma is recognised for her stellar contributions in the field of training and education in Ireland. Citas College has developed a wide range of courses in English, business, IT, hospitality and tourism and is accredited and certified by the FETC, City & Guilds and the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality. Olima’s award was presented by Tunde Norain.

 

Henry Alinta

Director of Aligreen Recycling Ltd in Newry, Henru Alinta is honoured for his commitment to developing new businesses in Nigeria and contribution to the immigrant community, especially Nigerians living on the island of Ireland. Alinta was named the Beacon of Hope at the 2012 Miss Nigeria Ireland event in recognition of his standing in the Nigerian community. Alinta’s award was presented by Dr John Onuoha.

 

Waheed Mudah

A solicitor at Kevin Tunney Solicitors in Dublin, Waheed Mudah is honoured for his dedicated and consistent legal service to clients, including members of the Nigerian community. Mudah is chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (Nidoe) Ireland, which aims to promote the spirit of patriotism, networking and cooperation among Nigerians in the diaspora in order to build a greater Nigeria. Mudah’s award was presented by Ken McCue.

 

Dr Ronit Lentin

Associate professor of sociology at Trinity College Dublin and a long-standing columnist for Metro Éireann, Dr Ronit Lentin has empowered many Nigerians in Ireland through her tireless pursuit and promotion of human rights for all. Her exemplary leadership in and out of the classroom has assisted many Nigerians in acquiring a higher education. Dr Lentin is also founder of the MPhil in Race, Ethnicity, Conflict (formerly the MPhil in Ethnic and Racial Studies) at TCD. Her award was presented by Fr Cornelius Nwaogwugwu.

 

Paul Rowe

Paul Rowe is recognised for his consummate leadership role as chief executive of Educate Together, the patron body of a growing network of schools that guarantee equality of access and esteem to children irrespective of social, cultural and religious backgrounds. Many children of Nigerian background living in Ireland have benefited from the access and acceptance that Educate Together promotes. Rowe’s award was presented by Pastor Tunde Oke.

 

MoneyGram 

Global money transfer company MoneyGram is recognised for its ongoing support for teaching and learning across schools and colleges in Nigeria. The MoneyGram Girl-Child Education Sponsorship Initiative for female undergraduates and the Up for School project, which sees MoneyGram in conjunction with its agent banks in Nigeria annually distribute educational materials to thousands of pupils in primary schools, are among its corporate social responsibility schemes. The award was presented to MoneyGram’s Sinead Usher by Ada Ogochukwu.

 

Akeem Sanusi

Proprietor of Kimex Ireland Ltd, a retailer of Afro-Caribbean and Asian foods in Dublin, Akeem Sanusi is recognised for his contributions to entrepreneurship as well as his commitment to developing and promoting African food labels in Ireland. He is particularly commended for the fine example he sets for young people of Nigerian background. Sanusi’s award was presented by Yomi Asiwaju.

 

Busola Shogbamimu

Busola Shogbamimu, also known as ‘The Separate Chef’, is awarded for her entrepreneurship in the hospitality field and dedication to providing future generations with insights into culture and life in the diaspora. Her autobiography Who Is My Mother? includes an appendix of African sayings and adages and shines a light on emigration, peer influences, career decisions, parenting and marriage. Shogbamimu’s award was presented by Yinka Odeajo.

 

HE Prince Eze Madumere MFR

Before becoming deputy governor of Imo State in March this year, His Excellency Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere had been selected to receive a special award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions across Nigeria’s key business and political sectors, his commitment to progressive politics as chief of staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha, and his contribution to reducing human suffering via the Nigerian Red Cross Society Imo State branch which he chairs. His award will be presented at a later date in Owerri, Nigeria.

 

Meg Offiah

An English and history teacher at Our Lady of Mercy College in Beaumont, north Dublin, Meg Offiah is awarded for the inspirational example she sets as a role model in the Nigerian community in Ireland and her promotion of education and cross-cultural understanding. Offiah, a mother of five, is also commended for her dedication to family and the example this provides to others. Offiah’s husband, Dr Linus Offiah, is a past winner of a Global Achievers Award for Nigeria. Offiah was presented with her award by Ake Braedt.


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