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The Bay Area’s top Nigerian community and business leaders welcomed their new US Ambassador at Oakland ’s hot new Miliki Restaurant in Laurel Heights, Friday, July 2. Educators, engineers and activists were excited to meet their new ambassador who took office at the US embassy in Washington, DC, just a few months ago. Along with his Minister of Administration, Head of Chancery, Yusuf S. Abdullahi and Minister of Consular and Immigration Affairs, Babatunde Balogun, His Excellency greeted his US countrymen while enjoying authentic West African cuisine prepared by chef and co-owner Bunmi Aregbe.
“We are strong, united and moving forward. I am determined to change the image of Nigeria, “he said.
In an effort to diversify the Nigerian economy into non-oil products, leaders are already calling the ambassador a “man of action.” Since his arrival the ambassador has signed a Bi-National Commission Agreement with the United States, the highest framework for any two nations to engage each other. This demonstrates the US and Nigeria are now committed to cooperating in the areas of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, Niger Delta security, food security and energy efficiency.
The ambassador has even higher aspirations for his countrymen in Nigeria and abroad as a part of Nigeria’s “Vision 20:20” which aims at transforming Nigeria into one of the globe’s top 20 economies by the year 2020. He recently strengthened the bilateral relationship with the United States and was instrumental in having Nigeria removed from the “country of interest” list.
“We’ve got all it takes to be a great country. Our government is focused, consistent and making the country a better place for all of us. “A strong and united Nigeria is irreversible. We are determined to deliver a credible peaceful nation with adequate services for everyone,” he stated.
“Our new ambassador is doing great, “said moderator Dr, Steve Ugbah, Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, California State University East Bay. “Meetings like this will help with streamlining business in Nigeria and the US,” said Nigerian based HP Store Manager, Ms. Ugochi Adinugo, who is spending the summer in the Bay Area.
While the ambassador sought to tap into the expertise of his US countrymen to help develop Nigeria, he was joined by Commissioner Linda Richardson of Bayview Hunter’s Point Project Area Committee and San Francisco Commissioner of Immigrant Rights, Dr. Toye Moses. “I found the meeting very positive,” added, Dr. Moses. “He has laid down the best vision to move Nigeria forward,” said Richardson.
The City of Oakland was well represented with Director of Marketing and Communications, Kola Thomas, Parks and Recreation Commissioner and President, EDO, Osagie Enabulele and District 3 Representative for Community Policing Advisory Board, Olugbemiga Oluwole, Sr. Also on hand were AABI Communications Managing Editor, Adenrele Iposu, Parsons Project Manager, Michael Chukwuma Umolu, Ms. Adejumoke Akin-Taylor of DeDeus Group, Inc. and Dr, John K. Ojewole, pastor of Agape Bible Fellowship,and representatives of the Post News Group.
Article courtesy of The Oakland Post. For more stories, visit The Oakland Post online.
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