Envoy Hosts Nigerian Professionals in UK

• Says country’s problems surmountable

By Emmanuel Addeh

The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Ambassador Sarafa Isola, has hosted a group of Nigerian professionals in the country, promising them that Nigeria’s problems are not insurmountable.

While welcoming the group called the British Power Listers, the Nigerian envoy to the UK, noted that the meeting was part of efforts to boost relations and create linkages between Nigeria and its citizens in the country.

During the meeting, which held at Abuja House, the official residence of the Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, Isola told the group, the majority of whom are British-Nigerians, to see themselves as persons who have a duty to contribute to the growth of Nigeria.

A press statement issued on the event, described the group as consisting of influential individuals who have all been recognised by the annual power list (Britain’s most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage).

Isola encouraged them to strengthen their cultural ties to Nigeria and partner the high commission in the UK to bridge the economic and industrial gap between both countries.

“Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and we have to pull together to develop our country. Our challenges are surmountable, hence the need to come together and work for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“I hereby challenge the power list members and other British Nigerians to chart the way forward,” the ambassador stated.

In his comments, the Chief Executive Officer of Daniel Ford International, a property search and acquisition firm based in London and an attendee at the event, Yemi Edun, described the event as timely.

“Some of Nigeria’s best brains are living in the UK; so it’s important that we exchange ideas. The ambassador has reminded us that we are all ambassadors of Nigeria in our chosen professions,” he said.

Alongside the representatives from the Nigeria high commission, other notable attendees included Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Kenneth Olisa; Independent Non-Executive Director, Claire Ighodaro and Public Policy Director at Facebook Africa, Middle-East and Turkey, Etebe Okobi as well as Partner & Vice-Chair at KPMG, Richard Iferenta.

Others were: Founder and Chief Executive, MicroMax Consulting, Dr. Nneka Abulokwe; Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Joy Odili; Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Emeka Okaro; Managing Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Segun Osuntokun; and Agent, Founder and CEO of Identity Theatre School, Femi Oguns.

Also in attendance were Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company, Tunde Olanrewaju; Managing Director, FT Strategies, Tara Lajumoke and Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa region at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML), Yvonne Ike.

In addition, Founder and CEO GV Group (Gate Ventures), Tevin Tobun; Founder, Chineke! Foundation, Chi-chi Nwanoku; Charity and Social Care Leader, the Right Honourable Lord Victor Adebowale and Founder, Making the Leap and the Social Mobility Awards, Tunde Bankole were also listed as having been in attendance.

LVO Director of Community Engagement (UK, Commonwealth and International) to The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Eva Omoaghomi; Founding Director, Head of Events, Powerful Media Ltd., Yvonne Eno as well as Senior Partner, Trinity Medical Centre, Dr. Allswell Eno, also attended the event.