By Milton Tella – Eight outstanding Nigerian achievers in the UK were honoured with the Nigerian-British Awards on Saturday 23rd October 2021 at the Hilton Paddington, London.
The gala night marked the twenty-one year anniversary of the Nigerian Achievers Awards Institute and the official welcome of His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK by the institute.
The recipients of this year’s Ambassadors awards, who were honoured in recognition of their significant contributions towards the Nigerian-British community both in UK and Nigeria included:
Dr Olutoyin Akande-Ajala CEO & Lead Consultant Geriatrician.
Dr Funmi Adewara Founder/CEO MobiHealth International.
Prince Mike Abiola Publisher of African Voice Newspaper UK and Founder of African Film Awards.
Arch. Bimbo Babarinde Chief Operating Officer, Nigerian Schools Foundation UK.
Cdr. Mentor Alistair Soyode Founder of BEN TV.
Mr Femi Okutubo Publisher of Trumpet Media Group and Founder of the Gathering of Africa’s Best (GAB).
Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo Founder/CEO, AI Foundation.
Dr. Peter Osezua Ozua Consultant Histopathologist.
A posthumous Life Achievers Awards was also bestowed on the doyen of insurance in Africa, late Mr Talabi Adebayo Braithwaitewho was represented by his children.
The Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Isola during his keynote address congratulated the award recipients, “The Nigerian British Business Forum and commended the leadership of Prince Afolabi Andu, President of NBBF.
The High Commissioner to the UK said, it is incontrovertible that NBBF has served a critical and effective bridge between prospective British businesses and investors who desire and deserve credible platform in accessing genuine opportunities in Nigeria.”
Ambassador Isola was accompanied to the event by his amiable wife, Mrs Saliat Isola, Suleiman Sani the deputy High Commissioner to the UK and Ministers of the Nigeria High Commission London.
Prince Afolabi Andu President of NBBF, in his welcome address said, “The Nigerian Achievers Awards Institute (NAAI) was established for the sole purpose of recognising and celebrating our very best in their respective fields of expertise. During this period, more than 150 individuals have been honoured with the merit awards for outstanding performance with their respective professions. This group includes captains of industries, men and women who have broken glass ceilings, people with exceptional talents and Nigerians who continue to positively impact their communities.”
The evening witnessed the unveiling of the Ambassadors compendium by H.E Ambassador Tunji Isola, the Nigeria High Commissioner. The 80-page glossy magazine, featured the Ambassador’s Awards recipients, Past & current Mayors/Speakers of Nigerian heritage, British Nigerian heritage past and present Councillors.
Hon. Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NDCOM) in her goodwill message published in the compendium read, “The Nigerian British Business Forum (NBBF) has become a network where the social capital for business interactions and investment between Nigeria and the UK combine. This compendium is not only a celebration of our values and common creed, it is also a guide for enormous business opportunities, meet ups, insight into our achievers and our impacting role as a people in the UK.”
Some prominent members of the Nigerian British Business Forum at the event were: Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Prof. Olu Obaro, Jennifer Obaseki, Dele Ogun Chairman/Project Director of Nigerian Achievers Awards Institute, among others.
Specially invited guests in attendance to support and celebrate with Prince Mike Abiola as he received the award included Chief & Mrs Akintokunbo Adejumo, Mr & Mrs Emmanuel Urhiofe, Mr Eugene Smith, Ms Retty Susie, Mr. George Phillips, Sales Director, Wanis Foods International and Paul Harrison Wanis Foods Brand Ambassador who presented two bountiful hampers to Her Excellency, Mrs Saliat Isola and Veteran actress Princess Golda Abiola.
The Founder and CEO of Sochitel Group, Mr Jerry Ejikeme, one of the sponsors of the gala night gave an uplifting and inspiring speech that captured the mood of the evening.
Mr Sheun Onamusi and Princess Brakoru Adama compered the highly successful event.
Photo credit: Eugene Smith/African Voice
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