How Hon. ABIKE DABIRI Hosted The World
For 2 days last week, Abuja rocked with the 2023 National Diaspora Day Celebration as Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission hosted a grand event.
The event started on 25th July, 2023 and went on till the next day, 26th July, 2023. The grand event took place at the Banquet Hall of the Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A lot of Nigerians in Diapora flew into Abuja to be part of the event. The event was used to celebrate the over 17 million Nigerian citizens across the world. This hybrid event is a federal government initiative. The Theme of the celebration was consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development.
So, it was a 2-in-1 event: the National Diaspora Day 2023 & Diaspora Merit Award.
On Day 1, after the opening remarks by Amb. Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the PS Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were special remarks by Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum and Goodwill messages from Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration, Dr. Laurent De Boeck, Head, Inter Centre for Migration Policy Development (West Africa) Dr. Mojisola Sodeinde; Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz and acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola. Other Goodwill messages came from the acting CBN Governor, Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Dr. Chioma Ejikene and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio (CON) Solidarity messages came from AFREXIM Bank CEO, Prof. Benedict Oramah (CON), President, Africa Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and SGF, Sen. Dr. George Akume.
There was also the presidential address by Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila. There was Diaspora Discussions with the 1st one on Nigeria Immigrant in Political Space (Journey So Far, Challenges & Prospects ) with discussants drawn from the UK and the US.
There was also a celebrity interview with Diaspora Role model: Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate from Harvard University. It was moderated by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Miss Kanyinsola Adetumbi.
This was followed by a Musical interlude featuring Christiana Igbowe.
Another discussion followed with the Theme: Consolidating Diaspora Engagement For National Development moderated by the DG, Directorate of Technical Cooporation in Africa, Amb. Rabiu Dagari. It had a panel of 7 discussants.
There was Home Strings: 2nd and 3rd Generation moderated by Ms Aisha Dakano (NIDCOM). There were presentations by the state diaspora focal point officers from Imo, Ondo and Yobe State.
There were also Diaspora Programmes on (a) Diaspora Mortgage Project, (b) Diaspora Health Insurance and Emergency Response Africa Musical Entertainment and Cutting of Anniversary Cake by Nigerian Ambassador to Qatar, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed.
Vote of thanks was by Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, the Secretary to NIDCOM. There was Entertainment at various centres globally.
Day 2 (Wednesday 26th July, 2023) started with Welcome Address by LOC Chairman, Mr. Akanbi Abiodun. NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabire Erewa made special remarks followed by Goodwill message by Amb. Balasubramanian, India High Commissioner to Nigeria.
The Keynote address was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote (Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board).
Next was a focus on Diaspora Groups: Projects & Activities.
There was also Partners Presentation. The Award Ceremony took place moments after with awardees recognised in the area of Education, Finance & Economics, Politics, Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Leadership Development, Medicine/Healthcare, Automobile, Philanthropy, and Sports.
Cultural performance took place and Vote of Thanks came from Head, Diaspora Relations Department, NIDCOM, ACP Okorie Obiora.
Lets tell you about the Awardees for the National Diaspora Merit Award, 2023. They are: (1) Amina J. Mohammed who won the Global Diaspora Icon Award. She is from Gombe and her country of residence is the United States of America There was also Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Eweala. She won the Global Diaspora Icon Award. She is from Delta, but lives in Switzerland. Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina was also honoured with the Global Diaspora Icon Award. He is from Oyo and lives in Coted’Ivoire.
Prof. Emeritus Augustine O. Esogbue won the Engineering/Diaspora Emeritus Award. He is from Delta and lives in the United States of America. Prof. Geoffrey O. Okogba won the Education/Leadership Award. He is from Kano, but lives in the United States of America. So also Prof. Mohammed Kabiru Farouk. He won the Education/Leadership Award. He is from Kano but lives in the United States of America.
There is Prof. Mobolaji Ebenezer Aluko. He won the Education/Leadership Award. He is from Ekiti, but resides in the United Kingdom. Prof. Rotimi Jayesimi won Medicine and Health Care Award. He is from Oyo State, but is based in United Kingdom. There is Dr. Jonathan Obaje. He won the Medicine and Health Care Award. He is from Kogi but based in Singapore. Dr. Oluyinka O. Olutoye won Medicine and Health Care Award. He is from Ondo, but he is based in the United States of America. Prof. Manny C Aniebonam won the Information Communication Technology ICT Award. He is from Anambra, but lives in the United States of America. There is Chief Olawuyi Folarin Alao who won the Philanthropy Award. He is from Oyo but lives in the United Kingdom. There is Mr. Kunle Adeyanju who won the Philanthrophy Award. He is from Kwara but lives in the United Kingdom. There is Engr. Jelani Aliyu. He won the Engineering/Leadership Award. He is from Sokoto, but lives in the United States of America. There is King Wale Adesanya who won the Humanitarian/COVID-19 Diaspora Mobiliser Award. He is from Lagos but based in Canada. There is Ms Lola Visser-Mabogunje. She won the Humanitarian/COVID-19 Diaspora Mobiliser Award. She is from Ogun State, but based in Cote d’Ivoire. Dr. John Abraham Godson won the Politics/Agriculture Award. He is from Abia but based in Poland. There is Dr. Philip Ozuah who won the Philanthropy/Health. He is from Delta but based in the United States of America. Lewis Bolaji won the Finance and Economics Award. He is from Lagos, but based in the United Kingdom. Ahmed Musa won the Philanthropy/Sports Award. He is from Kano but lives in Turkey. Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu won the State Diaspora Focal Point. She is from Abia. Nigerians Canadian Business Network (NCBN) won the Philanthropy/Support Group. They are based in Canada. The Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) was honoured with the Philanthropy/Support Group. They are based in the United States of America. Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation- NIDO UK South won Philanthropy/Support Group. They are based in the United Kingdom. The Zumunta Association USA Inc. was honoured with Philanthropy/Support Group Award. Many are based in the United States of America.
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