By Mike Abiola – Some of the most influential celebrities within the British Nigerian community made the roll call of attendees at the much talked about NHCPUK NHS@70 Excellence Awards that held in London on Saturday 23rd March 2019.
Special guests from the government of Nigeria include, Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi; Head PPP/Diaspora Liaison Unit/ Ministry of Health Dr. Bolanle Oluwu.
Guests from the UK government include Nero Ughwujabo, Special Adviser – Social Justice, Young People and Opportunities to Prime Minister Theresa May. Yvonne Coghill CBE, OBE Director of Race Equality, NHS and Lord Victor Adebowale CBE Chief Executive of the Social Care Enterprise Turning Point.
The amiable wife of Nigeria’s No.1 citizen in the UK Chief Mrs Modupe Oguntade was in the company of her husband His Excellency, Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade CFR, CON.
Dynamic former broadcaster and the diaspora favourite politician, Honourable Abike Dabiri Erewa lit up the evening with her appearance and message of hope from her principal, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wendy Olayiwola Odutola the convener of NHCPUK NHS@70 who captivated the audience with her inspiring address was accompanied by her very supportive husband Dr. Olugbenga Odutola.
Players of Africa’s leading film industry, Nollywood were not left out of the glamour of the evening with full representation by the veterans of the acting profession Princess Golda John Abiola, Victoria Iyama and Esther Jacobs Aseroma who also made the list of finalists of the Outstanding Healthcare Professionals in the NHS.
Some notable royals who graced the evening with their presence were Princess Moradeun Adedoyin- Solarin, Mrs Olu Akindiran and Princess Yetunde Odusanya, the charming mother of Anthony Joshua, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Other important dignitaries present were Dr & Cllr. Joy Laguda former Mayor of London Borough of Newhan, Ruth Oshinkalu MBE her father Pa Oshinkalu, Dr Peter & Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Ozua, Prof & Mrs Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Prof. & Mrs Ivbijaro, Dr & Mrs Patrick Ola Rowland, Dr. & Mrs Olu Obaro, Dr & Mrs Olatokunbo Sangowawa, Dr & Mrs Babatunde Gbolade, Dr & Mrs Yemi Coker, Dr & Mrs Alegbeleye, Dr & Mrs Chyke Ohuegbe, Kemmy Ikeneku, Priscilla Nwikpo, Obi Amadi, Taofeeq Shodunke, Dr. Abbey Akinoshun, Dr & Mrs Akpobome, Dr Funlola & Dapo Harold-Sodipo, Dr. Feyi Awotona, Dr & Mrs Ademola Adekunle, Dr. & Mrs Maurice Sanomi, Yemisi Jenkins MBE, Tolu Olayiwola, Ayan De First, Susie Retty, MC Mark, Abass Tijani, Dr & Mrs Lai Soile, Dr. Alistair Soyode, Otunba & Mrs Obafemi Adenuga, Otunba (Dr) & Mrs Dapo Williams, Prince Mike Abiola and many others.
In his address to the highly influential packed audience, His Excellency, Ambassador Oguntade appreciated the contributions of Nigerians to United Kingdom and urged the gathering to give back in contribution toward the development of Nigeria.
Ambassador Oguntade said, “I note that some of you seated here have been selected to receive awards for outstanding achievements and contributions during your years of service in the NHS. As a father, I am here to congratulate the awardees and to celebrate all of you present here.
I am fully aware of and highly impressed by the vibrancy of your respective professional associations. Your commitment to high professional and social standards has helped to distinguish you from the general lot. You have tirelessly rallied to the aid of your members in their trying times and made significant sacrifices for the good of the collective. I also acknowledge with delight and salute the exceptional sense of national pride that you continue to individually and collectively exhibit. The more so, I admire your yearning and determination to contribute your respective quotas in the development of your motherland, Nigeria.
As the representative of Nigeria to the UK, I seize this opportunity to inform the Honourable Minister of Health that indeed what you have before you today are an assembly of Ambassadors of Nigeria in the true sense of the word who are worthy of being celebrated.”
Photo credit: Above All Prints
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
