Obasanjo Commends Dayo Israel; Iweala Warns Him to be Cautious New York December 19th 2006 All roads led to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Lane in Manhattan for the Tribute Dinner organized by Leon H. Sullivan Foundation For His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The queue was as long as River Niger with over 1000 Nigerians and Lovers of Nigeria in attendance. Ranging from Ex-Presidents to Ambassadors and Governors, the number of US Congressmen and Representatives in attendance were uncountable and reputable Nigerians in Diaspora flooded the event. It was indeed a night of tributes, as President Olusegun Obasanjo was celebrated by his American friends, who have now decided to offer him up for a nomination to the Nobel Academy in Norway.
The President delegation included Governors of Taraba, Nassarawa and Ogun State. Others include the Ambassadors to the US and the United Nations, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Former Nigerian Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and the Chairman of UBA Groups, Mr. Tony Elumelu. Nigerian Diaspora organizations in attendance include NIDO and ANAC. Among the list of Notable Nigerians in Diaspora who attended the Tribute were Dr. Ola Kassim of NIDO, Jumoke Akin Taylor, Olaolu Akande of the Guardian, Kami Olufowobi of Nipro and Temidayo Israel of the Africa Diaspora Youth Forum.
The President in a Conversation with Temidayo Israel commended Him for His good works since the Summit of Nigerian Children and also encouraged Him to keep the flag flying. “I am very proud of you” were the words of President Obasanjo to Temidayo Israel. On the other hand, during Temidayo Israel’s conversation with Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, when He mentioned about His involvement with NIDO and other Nigeria Diaspora group, Dr. Iweala warned Him to be careful and not be like the adults in the group. According to Iweala, “You have to be careful and make sure you don’t become like those adult. They are always fighting one another”. In His response, Temidayo agreed with the Former Minister that there is a need for caution when dealing with the Adult Diaspora group especially with recent outburst on online groups like NaijaPolitic and ChatAfrik.
The event ended with a Speech by President Obasanjo who said the Night was not just of Tribute but also of Thanks. He Thanked His Parent, His Teachers and Every Nigeria for giving Him an opportunity for His name to be known beyond the next village. In His word “Considering my background, My name would not have been known in the next village but Nigeria has given me an opportunity not only to be known in Owu but all over the World. Accolades were showered on President Obasanjo by US President, George W. Bush, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, US Congressmen, US business leaders, and others; it was all a shower of praise on Obasanjo as he was described as an international statesman.
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