By Yunus S Saliu
In recognition of their accomplishments, hard works and dedications to the community and humanity, the Nigerian Community in The Gambia Saturday honoured HRH Oba (Rtn) Dr Moshood KB Abolade (Ariwajoye 1) as Royal Father of Nigerian Community in The Gambia alongside eleven members of the Community.
The event – Royal Night Awards was organized by the Nigerian Community in The Gambia and held at the Faculty of Law Auditorium of University of The Gambia, in MDI Road.
The Royal Night Award was used to honour distinguished personalities among the Nigerian Community in The Gambia and some people in the host country.
The Royal Night Awards presided over by the special guest of honour His Excellency Eche Abu-Obe Charge d’ Affairs, Nigeria High Commission, The Gambia while the Royal Father of The Day was HRH Oba Moshood Abolade was graced by different VIPs and dignitaries in the country.
The awardees of the Nigerian Community are His Royal Highness Oba Moshood Abolade received the award of Royal Father of Nigerian Community, Prince Chris Jukpor – Atakata-Agbor, Barrister Azeez O. Yusuf MD, Big Apple – Asiwaju1, Engineer Tony Nwajei MD, Tone Tech Engineering – Ezinwa, Mr Bumi Jushua Ogundar, MD All in One Enterprise – Olu-Omo, Chief Kebba Madi Bojang MD Ginko Real Estate – Nwanne Dinamba, High Elder Raymond Onwubiko, Senior Teacher SOS – Obata Ulo-Adinma, Elder Olatunji Ezekiel Sonibare – Otunba, Chief Michael Eze, Chairman Naspa – Eze Enyi; Chief Gaius Osarewinda, Chairman Happy Hour – Iroko, Chief Alysius Ugo – Dike Diohanma and Chief Martine U Uzochukwu – Osimiri Atata.
In his brief statement, His Excellency Eche Abu-Obe Charge d’ Affairs, Nigeria High Commission, The Gambia applauded Nigerian Community The Gambia and organizer of the event.
He said seeing everybody at the event singing “both the countries’ (The Gambia and Nigeria) national anthems together with enthusiasm makes me very glad to know the cohesive cooperation between The Gambia and Nigeria.”
He noted that it shows him that it (the Royal Night Awards) worthy “and I can only continue to appeal to the two brotherly countries to continue sitting together as one and whatever difference we have (if there is any) will solve within families,” the Nigeria High Commission Charge d’ Affairs expressed delight.
He stated further that he cannot hide his feelings on the level of the familial existing between Nigerian Community, the host country “as you cannot tell who is from where, who is on which side, which religions. This is very much overwhelming and I thank you all for this.”
His Excellency Eche Abu-Obe therefore urged all Nigerians in The Gambia or wherever they find themselves to be of good conduct saying it is not the embassy or high commission that is Nigeria but “it is people that they are meeting, which is you here and everywhere. So with this gladness in my heart at least when I finish my tour of duty here I can go back happily and say the cohesion that I met there was very solid and it will continue, I hope so.”
To the awardees, he thanked them for their contributions to the Nigerian Community in The Gambia and the host country, while I hope that this is a springboard for better things to come. Because getting an award is the first step and it will changes your status quo to a bigger encomium but always remember that it is uneasy life the head that wears crown.”
Dr Sam Chima Ochulor, President Nigerian Community expressed delight over the event saying the awards were given to those that have reaching the pinnacle of achievement and in recognition of their accomplishment, hard work and dedication to the community and as well for the humanity.
Dr Ochulor noted that the Royal Awards has touched all areas of the awardees such as their contributions, strengthening of value of the community and improving the quality of people’s lives.
He highlighted on numerous qualities of Nigerian Community which among are respect of the rules of law respect for one and another and fear for all regardless of our religions political affiliation, tribes and these are not negotiable values.
“I’m proud of what we have achieved together but there are still more works to be done and we need to find long term sustainability solution,” he said.
He therefore thanked the Nigerian High Commission to The Gambia for having successful contribution and dialogue with the community, while he also thanked The Gambia government for providing Nigerians an enabling environment to go about their businesses.
