According to the CEO of Empowered Communications, Mr. Laolu Akande, a special publication the top fifty Nigerians reflecting on their life, qualifications and contributions to Nigeria’s international standing were picked.
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, international businessman, Dr. Kase Lawal and celebrated young author, Miss Chimamanda Adichie are among the fifty top personalities who received awards for lifting Nigeria’s name in dignified circles across the globe.
Also included are two journalists – Sunday Dare who was with the “Voice of America” and Mike Okwu who has worked with both the CNN and the NBC in the United States.
Among the corporate bodies to be given special recognition awards are the the US-based Nigerian Nurses Association, the New Jersey Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), Saharareporters and the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, (NHEF).
Below is the List of Top Nigerians in the US and Canada who have excelled in their various fields of endevour and are doing the Country proud internationally.:
1. Dr. Kase Lawal (International Business) Chairman, CAMAC Energy Inc, New York & Houston.
2. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (International Finance) Managing Director, World Bank, Washington DC.
3. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (International Public Service) Vice President for Africa, World Bank, Washington DC.
4. Mrs. Beatrice Hamza-Bassey (Law) Partner, Hughes Hubbard & Reed Chambers, New York.
5. Dr. Funmi Olopade (Medicine) Professor of Medicine & Human Genetics, University of Chicago.
6. Dr. Oluyemi Badero (Medicine) Invasive & Interventional Cardiologist, New York.
7. Professor Ferdinand Ofodile (Medicine) Plastic Surgeon & Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, New York.
8. Professor Toyin Falola (Academic) University of Texas Professor of History.
9. Professor Joseph Igietseme (Research) the US govt-owned Center for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta.
10. Mr. Jelani Aliyu (Innovative Technology) Senior Auto Designer, General Motors, Michigan.
11. Professor Jacob Olupona (Academic) Professor of African Religious Traditions, Harvard University.
12. Mr. Kayode Oladele (Human Rights) International Lawyer from Justice Center, Detroit, Michigan.
13. Mrs Hauwa Ibrahim (Human Rights) Law Lecturer, Harvard University.
14. Pastor Goke Oyedeji (Community Leadership) Evergreen Recognition, New York.
15. Pastor James Fadele (Community Leadership)-Chairman of the Board, RCCGNA- Dallas, Texas.
16. Dr. Ola Kassim (Diaspora Leadership) Toronto, Canada.
17. Professor Biodun Jeyifo (Academic) Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University.
18. Dr. Peter Osemobor (Banking) CEO/ Managing Director, Dinosaur Capital New York & formerly Senior Vice President, UBS, New York.
19. Chief Usua H. Amanam (Business) Chairman, Amakpe International Refineries & Amtrat International Corporation, California.
20. Dr. Marcel Ajah (Medicine) Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, New York.
21. Ms. Chimamanda Adichie (Literary Arts) Novelist & writer.
22. Dr. Baba Adam (Public Service) Vice President, North Central University, Arizona & Chairman, defunct US-PRONACO Movement.
23. Prof. Mobolaji Aluko (Public Service) public commentator and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Howard University.
24. Prof. Femi Vaughan (Academia) Professor of Africana Studies & History, Bowdoin College, Maine.
25. Dr. Jide Williams (Medicine) Neurologist, Columbia University, New York.
26. Mr. Toni Onianwah (Business) CEO, Apex Petroleum, Maryland.
27. Mr. Seni Hazzan (Business) SHIELD Academy, of Wall Street fame, Connecticut
28. Mr. Fidelis Umeh Information Technology) President Barack Obama’s IT expert, Chicago.
29. Dr. Victor Oladokun (Media Host) CNBC Africa, Virginia.
30. Mr. Chamberlain Peterside (Banking & Investing) CEO, New Era Capital
31. Dr. Vincent Ahonkhai (International Public Service) senior official, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle.
32. Prof. Edward Oparaoji (Diaspora Leadership) Global Pharmaceutical Executive, Pennsylvania.
33. Dr. Mercy Obamogie (Medicine) Family Practice, Maryland.
34. Prof. Abba Gumel (Academic) Professor of Mathematics, University of Manitoba, Canada.
35. Prof. Benedicta Egbo (Academia) Professor of Education, University of Windsor, Canada.
36. Ms. H Garuba (Youth Recognition) Queen’s University, Canada.
37. Prof. Ebere Nduka (Academia) Professor of Biology, City University of New York.
38. Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians, OAN-organizers of the annual Nigerian Independence parade in New York.
39. Prof. Wale Awodiya (Academia) Professor of Communication, Suffolk County Community College, New York.
40. Nigerian Nurses Association-USA
41. Nigeria in Diaspora Organization, NIDO, New Jersey Chapter
42. Nigeria Democratic Liberty Forum, NDLF.
43. Saharareporters (Citizen Media) aka “Africa’s Wikileaks”
44. Nigerian Village Square
45. African Abroad Newspaper
46. Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, NHEF
47. Nigeriaworld
48. Mr. Sunday Dare (Media), NN24 & newsbreaknow.com, formerly of Voice of America fame.
49. Dr. Akin Awofolaju (Business Strategist & CEO Amerihire Inc.) New York.
50. Mr. Mike Okwu (Media), of CNN and NBC fame
