Hosted by the Nigerian Physicians Advocacy Group, the African Primary Healthcare Foundation and the Constituency for Africa, the first-of-its-kind gala honored top officials across the US government. Guests of honour included then-Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Akunna Cook; US Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh Ebong; and associate White House counsel (now head of compliance at Palantir Technologies) Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo.
Even World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, herself a Nigerian-American, attended the event in a telling display of the African diaspora’s growing clout.
It was a great night of recognition for Nigerian-Americans excelling in the Biden administration. Happy to join the award ceremony and to meet such dynamic professionals including Enoh T. Ebong, @osaremen_ , Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo, Dr Kechi Achebe, @CRAguh and @IkeUmunnah! pic.twitter.com/tNchvTW3gU
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) April 17, 2022
“America’s great diversity is essential to our strength,” Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, said in accepting an award at the gala for elevating the voices of the diaspora community in his role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
There's more to this story
Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.
cancel anytime
Already a a subscriber Sign In
Also in this in Depth:
memory lane
Kenya at 60: Key moments in history Kenya celebrates 60 years of nationhood, showcasing key moments of its development.rwanda redux
Paul Kagame: ‘The problem is not between me and Tshisekedi’ The Rwandan president answers questions on the tensions with DRC, his probable fourth term, the recent spate of coups, and his dissatisfaction with the manner in which Africa was integrated in the G20 in India.