ABIKE DABIRI EREWA'S COMMITTEE GETS AFRICAN BRIDGE-BUILDER AWARD

Princess Naa Asie Okansey of Ghana, Hon. Nosa Osahon, Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, renowned African American Actor Lou Gossett Jr , Hon Abdulrahman Terab and Ms Erieka Bennett of the AU Diaspora African Forum at the first African Diaspora Bridge Builders awards in Washington DC.

The African Union Diaspora African Forum, (AUDAF), a Washington D.C. arm of the African Union-endorsed Diaspora African Forum, on Monday, honoured the National Assembly's House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, chaired by Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa with the African Bridge-Builders Award. The award was in recognition of the Committee's contributions toward strengthening relationships and providing opportunities for Africans returning to Africa.
   
"I feel excited, I feel honoured that we are being recongised here in Washington DC", says an elated Dabiri-Erewa, who is the Chairman, Committee on Diaspora Affairs. "It only tells you that we have to continue working hard and hard and diaspora issue are now in front burner of the issues world wide. We are trying to have a diaspora commission in Nigeria. Twenty-four countries have Diaspora ministries, but we do not have in Nigeria. So, it is important that we have diaspora commission, a one stop agency that will take care of the needs of people in the Diaspora. As for us, as a committee, we will continue to engage diaspora and see how the country can benefit from it and ensure that they are part of the policies of government. And here in the US, we have most of the literate immigrants. We believe we will be part of telling good stories about Nigeria in Diaspora and give them the rightful place in our society".

The AUDAF Foundation promotes communication and understanding among all African descendants through education, exchange programs, activities and conferencing. It supports AUDAF’s programs, which include the Cross Cultural Training Program; Kumasi Childrenʼs Home; Teachers Exchange Program; Xernona Clayton School; Ghana Junior Ambassador Project, and others.

Award recipients include; Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan (posthumously); General Fred Karen Leigh, and Ms. Xernona Clayton from the United States; Ambassador-Dr. Bamanga Tukur from Nigeria; Princess Naa Asie Ocansy from Ghana; Nana Rita Marley from Jamaica; and Dr. Barryl Biekman from Europe.