By Milton Tella – The High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR, in his keynote address at the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA), 62nd Independence Day Celebration 2022, urged Diaspora organisations to synergise.
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola said, “The Nigeria Britain Association is an organisation that, l strongly believe that, if we strengthen it, some of those core objectives which we intend to achieve between Nigeria and Britain will be achievable because what we have here are credible people.
The association should be ready for the kind of synergy that we hope will take place before the end of this year. The only challenge we are having in the relationship between the UK and Nigeria is lack of synergy. Almost every organisation is having their own show. Synergy does not mean one association fusing into the other but you have to look for ways to work together. Ten percent of one million naira is better than having one hundred percent of one thousand naira.”
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola challenged the President of N-BA to look out for credible organisations that the association can relate with.
He further said that, “We have an advantage now with the new Liz Truss government as we have people who are centred on International Trade. I was at the recently concluded Conservative Conference in Birmingham, I spoke with Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for International Trade, and other Members of Parliament on their readiness to partner with Nigeria and it is our ability to synergise that will really deliver the projects.
Coming here today, the standard that l found here is really classy in terms of quantity and quality.”
Ambassador Isola commended the President of the association, Mrs Abimbola Okoya for her good works during her tenure and advised all guests to ensure that they have a good take home from this gathering.
His Excellency charged the association to continue to focus on the objectives they intend to achieve. He asked the executives to continue to appreciate and encourage those members who are contributing to the growth of the organisation.
He advised the President of the N-BA to make sure that the organisation is taken to greater heights, to make it the foremost Nigerian British association in this country.
His Excellency, Ambassador Isola said, “On my part I assure you that l am there for you and the Nigeria High Commission will also continue to offer its support. We strongly believe that the relationship between Britain and Nigeria must be deepened.
On two occasions I have had cause to challenge the erstwhile prime minister, when l went on bilateral meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR that it is unthinkable that we have more investments flowing from the Netherlands and Germany than Britain. How do you explain that?
I assured him that we need to focus on more infrastructural projects. These projects are what you use to promote people to people relationships. You can imagine what UAC and Leventis did those days in Nigeria. Which British organisations are providing that now?
It is time to rejig but I assure you that If you come together and synergise we would definitely get to our right destination.”
The event was held at Rembrandt Hotel South Kensington, London on Saturday 8th October 2022.
In her welcome address, Ms Abimbola Okoya, the President of the N-BA announced that the theme for this year’s celebration is Striving For Excellence.
During the course of the evening, N-BA ICON Awards were handed out to five distinguished individuals that embodied Excellence, Cultural Inclusivity and Friendship between Nigeria and Britain which are the core values the association promotes.
Carolyn Hall MBE, the former Vice President, Nigeria – Britain Association presented the Distinguished Service Awards to Chief Emeka Anyaoku CFR, CON, former Commonwealth Director – General who acknowledged his award virtually.
Anastasios P Leventis CBE, OFR got the Founder Outstanding Philanthropy Awards In recognition and appreciation of his contributions to conservation and philanthropy in Nigeria.
Mr Yinka Shonibare CBE, RA Artist and Founder Yinka Shonibare Foundation got the Outstanding Personality Award in recognition and appreciation of his contributions to the creative and cultural legacy of Nigeria and Britain.
Mr John Godwin OFR, OBE & Mrs Gillian Hopwood MFR founding partners of GHK Architects Limited bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition and appreciation of their contributions to the cultural and architectural legacy of Nigeria.
The ceremony was anchored by Dr. Jenifer Obaseki of Obaseki Solicitors, supported by Philip Hall OBE Vice Patron N-BA.
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
