Ex-diaspora group president counsels Nigerians in foreign countries
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US: FROM the former President of a Nigerian US based group, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians Inc. (OAN Inc.), Mr. Michael Agbolade Adeniyi, has come a piece of advice to Nigerians in diaspora.
Adeniyi, who was OAN Inc. president for eight years and now a board member, urged fellow countrymen and women to engage in activities that would portray the good image of Nigeria globally.
Adeniyi said that though there are few Nigerians who have been denting the image of the country in the international arena, but he expressed joy that many fellow citizens have excelled, and still excelling, in various fields, the development that had shot Nigeria to global limelight.
He expressed these views in a special interview with GatewayMail in view of the recent record of achievements by Nigerians outside the country.
“Several Nigerians outside of Nigeria are excelling and surely making us very proud, though we have a minuscule few who need to improve their conduct and emulate the achievers,” Adeniyi, a one-time President, Baptist Boys High School Old Students Association (North America), told GatewayMail, adding: “Noted that the second and third generations of Nigerians in the U.S. are recording outstanding achievements in all aspects of life.”
Adeniyi recalled that some Nigerians – for instance Dr. Abiodun Akinwuntan, who was named Dean of the University of Kansas School of Health Professions effective January 18, 2016; 24-year-old Florence Adepoju who recently launched her make-up range in UK; and anti-human trafficking advocate and journalist, Bukola Love Oriola, who was appointed by US President Barack Obama as member of US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to mention a few – have been making Nigerians proud of their country.
While referring to Akinwuntan appointment, he said: “It is a great accomplishment. I am elated to have another Nigerian who has attained the position of a Dean in a US university system.”
He further stressed: “It is globally-recognized that Nigerians are brilliant and hold their own against competition from any part of the world.
“Nigerians have performed impressively in non-English speaking nations where they had to learn the language: which was not a deterrent to Nigerians’ stellar performance.”
“Give Nigerian a conducive environment and watch him or her clinch the trophy,” Adeniyi confidently said.
- By Femi Shodunke
