East London’s Waltham Forest Town Hall played host last Friday (June 27) to what no less an authority than Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr Dalhatu Tafida has described as the best ever organised event by diasporans that he has attended.
The Nigeria Centenary Awards UK paid homage to the 100 most outstanding Nigerians to have lived in the UK, essentially since the British unified the independent kingdoms that would become present-day Nigeria one hundred years ago. One hundred Nigerians, spanning twelve categories of endeavour, were honoured with plaques and certificates in recognition not only of their contribution to fellow Nigerians or fellow Africans, but to UK society as a whole.
Attending the classy gala dinner alongside Dr Tafida were all his ministers from the High Commission and specially invited guests who travelled from Nigeria, including former Miss West Africa and veteran broadcaster Julie Coker as well as Africa Independent Television anchorwoman Lara Owoeye-Wise.
In his opening address, Dr Tafida expressed surprise at how successful the event turned out to be, saying: “The high commission never had any plans of its own for the Nigerian centenary awards and I was sceptical over the possibility of a private organisation pulling such an event together. When it was revealed that the Federal Government would be organising the centenary awards, many people approached me here in London and asked what would the High Commission do to celebrate it.
“I said we had no plans of our own and I was surprised when the organising committee of the Nigerian Centenary Awards, led by its chairman, Ayo Akinfe, approached me and said they wanted to organise an event to reward 100 successful Nigerians in the UK. I doubted they could do it, but here we are today.”
Ayo Akinfe, the chairman of the organising committee, said in his welcome address: “I am in no doubt whatsoever that the next 100 years shall witness breakthrough for our beloved nation. One just needs to look at the trend to see that the future belongs to large nations to realise that we are on to something big. The future is bright; the future is Nigerian.”
The twelve categories recipients represented included Unsung Heroes, Youth Ambassadors, Health Services, Community Leadership and Public Services as well the staples often visited at awards ceremonies.
Award recipients who received honours on the night included Yemisi Sanusi, Nwankwo Kanu, Chris Imafidon, Alistair Soyode, Deun Adedoyin-Solarin, Peter Ozua, Mike Abiola, Michelle Akintoye, and Debbie Ariyo. Organising committee members who managed to resist giving themselves awards were also recognised by deputy high commissioner, Ambassador Toyin Lawal, who praised them for their sacrifice.
African Voice’s publisher and editor-in-chief said of being honoured: “It is a thing of extraordinary joy to be recognised among the 100 outstanding Nigerians in the UK. My sincere appreciation to the organisers of the Nigerian Centenary Awards UK. My message to all the other recipients is for us to make tomorrow different for future generations of British Nigerians. Let us ensure we have higher numbers of next-generation British Nigerians as Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. It is a number game and we surely have the numbers.”
Mike was amongst the many recipients who praised the committee for putting such an event together without any major sponsors and for ensuring it passed without any hiccups. Ronke Udofia, the chair of the awards sub-committee, said a lot of the credit for the success of the night should go to the volunteers, many of whom were students who came from universities up and down the country to assist.
There follows a full list of awardees in their respective categories:
Unsung Heroes
Adebunmi Apanishile
Toibudeen Adeniyi
Nnasha Michael-Ihunde
Youth Ambassadors
Eby Emenike
Anne Marie Imafidon
Laila Johnson Salami
Nsikan Adejumoke Udofia
Ibukun Jegede
Yemi Soile
Cllr Whitney Ihenachor
Health Services
Dr. Peter Ozua
Dr. Adebisi Bello
Prof. Dilly Anumba
Prof. Uduak Archibong
Dr. Comfort Momoh MBE
Dr. Baba Inusa
Wallace Ogufere
Samuel Osaghae
Chief (Mrs) Yemisi Sanusi
Dr Ify Okocha
Dr. Lola Omotayo
Prof. Stanley Okolo
Ifesinachi Anyamene
Chima Mbubaegbu
Sport
Ade Adepitan MBE
Teslim Balogun
Michael Emenalo
Nwankwo Kanu
Christine Ijeoma Ohuruogu MBE
Anthony Ogogo
Science & Technology
Dr. Sunday Popoola
Tunji Akintokun
Dr. Chris Imafidon
Public Service
Joachim A Adenusi
Yetunde Adeola
Cllr Michael Adeyeye
Kindness Aifuwa
Michelle Akintoye BEM
Ruth Alake
Cllr. Adedamola Aminu
Cllr Kate Anolue
Dr Erinma Bell MBE
Yinka Alli Balogun
Cllr. Susan Fajana-Thomas
Dr. Toyin Idowu
Dr Larry Jones-Esan
Barbara Kasumu
Cllr. Anna Mbachu
Stella Ngozi Mbubaegbu
Dr. Akanmo Odon
Godwin Odusami
Tessy Ojo
Dr Victor Olisa
Benn Omotayo
Dr Joe Ukemenam
Chuka Umunna MP
Michael Ihemere
Dr. Mathew Tawo Mbu
Cllr. Buky Okunade
Kenneth Olisa OBE
Ade Adetosoye OBE
Entrepreneurship & Business
Yemisi Aiyegbusi
Afolabi Andu
Engr. Olumuyiwa Aiyebgusi
Helen Bageire Duke
Adebayo Jones
Samuel Kasumu
Dr. Alistair Soyode
Dr. Adebayo Ogunlesi
Sola Oyebade
Banking, Finance & Accounting
Ibironke Adeagbo
Claire Ighodaro CBE
Legal
Kehinde Adesina
Taiwo Adesina
Remi Margaret Nwando Aiyela
Dr Patrick Davies
Liz Ikiriko
Prof. Oba Nsugbe QC, SAN
Nwabueze Nwokolo
Iguyovwe Ogheneruona
Femi Osibanjo
The Arts
Yinka Shonibare MBE
Sam Anwuzia
Micheal Appoh
Femi Elufuwoju Jnr
Rita Nzelu Okoro
Jermaine Sanwoolu (JahMain KinG)
Media
Michelle Ogundehin
Mike Abiola
Victor Amokeodo
Princess Deun Adedoyin -Solarin
Community Leadership
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo
Dr Mark Abani
Debbie Ariyo OBE
Rev Rex Chosen
David Doherty
Ene Ebong
Chief Dr. Ejikeme Eric Uzoalor
Okechukwu Ashley Mpi
Prince Isaac Namabiri
James O Coker
Grace Oba Fayose
Prof Chike Oduoza
Pa Adebayo Oladimeji
Sam Onigbanjo
Abimbola Sonde
Abbey Akinoshun
