News

The Nigerian Diaspora Back PMB

Published

6 years ago

February 1, 2019

By Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Relations & Diaspora

As Nigerians prepare to head to the polls, I have made one final international visit before the election, to London.

In my capacity as President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Relations & Diaspora, I have been speaking to members of the Nigerian Community in the UK about the upcoming election, about relations between our two countries, and about why they will be supporting President Buhari on the 16^th February.

As Senior Special Assistant I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and visit influential Nigerians across the diaspora, but my visits to London are always among the most special of all. Partly because of the unique historical and cultural bond that continues to underpin Nigeria’s relationship with the UK, but also on a more personal level; it is the warm welcome that I receive from the Nigerian community in the UK, who are some of the most positive, active, and vibrant representatives that our great nation has, that makes the visit so special.

The House of Commons is now home to seven Members of Parliament of Nigerian descent, there are several A-List British actors who speak about their Nigerian roots with pride, including Star Wars’ John Boyega. The UK is lucky to be the home of top Nigerian academics, such as Professor Imafidion with the mastery of training and creating geniuses. And some of Britain’s most decorated athletes, too, carry with dignity both their accomplishments and their Nigerian heritage. Unified world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has a tattoo of Africa, with Nigeria clearly outlined, etched into his left shoulder.

I was in London to ensure that regardless of the outcome of the election next month, these relationships continue to grow from strength to strength. During my trip, I was interviewed on prominent media channels, including Sky News, held meetings with influential think-tanks and hosted at the Houses of Parliament by Chi Onwurah MP, Kate Osamor MP, and Baroness Udin from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Africa and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Nigeria. Most importantly, I have been engaging with members of the Nigerian Diaspora on the topics that really matter to them.

During my visit, I have spent time with the All Progressives Congress UK Branch – who have been working tirelessly in the U.K., and Nigeria, to secure President Buhari’s re-election. Whilst in London, I attended an event co-hosted by APC UK and Together Nigeria, an independent advocacy group supporting the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, of which I am First Ambassador. The message of Together Nigeria was brought to the UK – let’s keep moving forward, and vote on the facts! The event brought in Buhari-supporters from all over London, to celebrate the successes of the past four years. Their passion was infectious.

Throughout the election campaign, these activists have been highlighting the achievements of President Buhari, using their popular social media channels, and most recently, they have sent delegations to Nigeria to join the campaign trail all over the country.

Though the millions of Nigerians abroad cannot currently vote in the elections, the diaspora still have an absolutely vital and influential role to play in mobilising their relatives and friends back home to support the right candidates. The diaspora remit at least $23 billion to Nigeria every year, they should not and cannot be ignored. As for members of the diaspora who are elsewhere in Africa and still registered to vote at home, I encourage them to commit the time and resources to keep Nigeria moving forward under President Buhari.

Around the world, Nigerians have applauded President Buhari’s efforts to tackle corruption and make Nigeria a more prosperous and viable destination for international business. British-Nigerians, amongst others, have sought to support their President as much as possible in his efforts to recover money where it has been unlawfully taken to Western Countries.

Since his election in 2015, President Buhari has committed to tackling corruption head on. As we well know, when corruption is fought, corruption fights back; but this has not deterred our President from his anti-corruption mission.

This has been recognised both within Nigeria, and internationally. President Buhari has been recognised by his fellow African Union members as Africa’s “anti-corruption champion”, and Nigerians in the diaspora are excited by the impact that this work has had on the perception of Nigeria in the international arena. Under the Buhari-led administration the World Bank has recognised these efforts, and Nigeria has risen 24 places in the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings.

During the election campaign, the overwhelming message I have received from members of the Nigerian Diaspora is that we must allow President Buhari to consolidate the progress he has made, we must give him the platform he needs to take the right steps and help us all to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

Now, more than at any moment in Nigeria’s political history, we need stability, accountability, and continued growth. In order to achieve this, we need four more years of President Buhari.

News

ASR AFRICA HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A N250 MILLION ABDUL SAMAD RABIU MEDICAL SCIENCE LABOURATORY FOR CRESCENT UNIVERSITY

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

ASR Africa has commenced the construction of a N250 Million medical science laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

From Right: Mr. G. T. Ogunmefun (University Acting Bursar); Barr. A. M. Ajiobla, SAN (Proprietor); Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila (Vice- Chancellor); Dr. Ubon Udoh (MD/CEO, ASR Africa); Barr. Z. A. Ajibola (Registrar) and Prof. M. K. Momodu (Dean, College of Law) at the ground breaking ceremony of the Medical Science Laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta.

August24news.com gathered that the laboratory will enhance the capacity of the institution in meeting the National Development Plans and Transformational Agenda (NDTA) of the Federal Government of Nigeria, whilst filling the gap created by laboratory scientists who have left the country recently.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, expressed gratitude for the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGs).

He applauded ASR Africa for the award of the grant and noted that the project is the university’s topmost priority, considering its drive to expand its College of Health Sciences programs.

In his response, the MD CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, commended the management of the university for their academic achievements and systematic growth which is evident by the addition of three new colleges recently.

These colleges include the College of Environmental Sciences (COES), Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW) and the College of Health Sciences (COHES). Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of ASR Africa in ensuring a timely completion of the project.

The N250 Million grant will provide fixtures and fittings for the medical science laboratory which features a 300 sitting capacity auditorium, offices for Head of Departments and lecturers, lecture /seminar rooms.

It will also cater as laboratories facility for Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Biology, Hematology, Pharmacology/Therapeutics and Chemical Pathology.

The ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme is targeted at supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and so far over 30 tertiary institutions in Nigeria have benefitted from this grant which ranges from N250 million to N 2 billion.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

News

Seplat Energy Clinches ‘Deal of the Year’ at New Telegraph Award

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

Seplat Energy Clinches ‘Deal of the Year’ at New Telegraph Award

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

News

Olusunle, Now Fellow Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (FNMGS)

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

…As Society Celebrates 64 Years of Existence

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

A research Director of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Dr. Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle has been conferred with the prestigious Fellow of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), one of the oldest professional bodies in the history of Nigeria.

NASENI Research Director, Engr. Dr Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle, FNMGS, (right) receiving the Conferment Award plaque and Certificate from Prof. Akinade Sadrach Olatunji, the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society(NMGS)(left) during the Awards Night which took place at the Chida International Hotels Abuja on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

The Nigeria’s late sage, Pan Africanist and President during the First Nigerian Republic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first patron of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

The Society yesterday in Abuja concluded its 60^th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), and it was time for the body to honour and recognize its members who had contributed tremendously not only to the growth and development of the Mining and Geosciences profession in the country, but the accomplishments of the honourees having direct bearing on the general socio-economic development of the country.

The event which was held between 16^th to 19^th February 2025 at the Chida International Hotel Abuja, came to a climax with Awards Night and recognition. Dr. Olusunle and 42 other members were honoured with the prestigious fellow category, which is the highest election attainable in society.

This conferment has added new appellation to Engr.Dr. Olusunle’s name as FNMGS. In 1977, the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) succeeded the Nigerian Mining Geological and Metallurgical Society (NMGMS) which was founded on 15th January 1961 and officially inaugurated on 17th December, 1962.

The society is an international professional organization. Its Objectives include: Advancement and practice of Mining, Earth sciences and Metallurgy, Acquisition, preservation and dissemination of mining geoscientific and metallurgical knowledge, publication of an interdisciplinary learned journal of Mining and Geology (JMG), the CRUST, periodicals and specialized books including annual books of abstracts and programmes of the society’s conferences and activities and upholding the ethics and safeguarding the interests of the professionals covered by the society.

The society also has statutory representation in the council of the Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) established by the Federal republic of Nigeria Decree No. 40 of 1990. The categories of membership are Fellow, Corporate, Graduate, Students, Affiliate, Institutional and Honorary fellow, the highest of all is the Fellow category.

When asked to speak on the significance of the society’s recognition to him and NASENI where he serves as Director Research, a highly elated Olusunle had this to say: “I give God the glory and I am really humbled to be elected FELLOW of NMGS. It should be noted that the mandate of NASENI and the core concerns of NMGS are knittingly related. NASENI has one of its institutes operating within the purview of solid minerals exploitation (SOMMEDI).

NASENI also under wonderful leadership of the EVC/CEO, Khalil S. Halilu, is actively involved in the CNG project of the Federal Government. These and other notable activities/intervention of NASENI are collaborative windows between the agency and NMGS”.

Before he became research director, Dr. Olusunle was former Managing Director, Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) Akure, one of NASENI Development Institutes. Also, he is a FELLOW of the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN), the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), The Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), The Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS)and many others.