Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Chairman, NiDCOM (Nigeria)
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa fondly called “Mother of Theresa of the tube” prides herself in her outstanding career as a broadcaster. She spent 15 years of distinguished and meritorious service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). While in NTA she gained a strong understanding of the industry because of her dedication, inquisitive and professionalism. She anchored the weekly NTA News line programme to the delight of millions of Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or religion. Hon. Dabiri warmed her way into the hearts of many with her gallantry efforts of using television as an effective tool to draw attention to the Millions of Nigerians suffering from the pains of poverty and injustice. Her commitment and passionate dedication to duty while working on several heart touching News line stories stood her out and endeared her to many. We all still remember her bravery while investigating the story of little Mary, the miracle baby for 8 years. A firm believer in the importance of service to humanity, she voluntarily retired from the services of the Nigerian Television Authority to contest as a member of the House of Representative and swept the poll with a landslide victory. While in the House, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa distinguished herself by working tirelessly and was one of the lawmakers that stood against the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In her Second term in office she was the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, a new Committee with the challenge of ensuring that Nigerians in Diaspora are integrated into developmental activities of their motherland.During the last general election Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa was re-elected for a third term and she will be a worthy representative.
Kingsley Aikins
Global Diaspora Consultant (Ireland)
Kingsley, an Economics and Politics graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, has lived and worked in six countries in a career in trade and investment, philanthropy, education, diaspora and tourism and has worked for major organisations, governments and countries. Throughout his extensive experience he has come to appreciate the power of Networking and he sees it as the ‘glue’ that makes everything happen. As a result he and his colleagues have developed a unique and distinctive approach to Networking training and, through The Networking Institute, they want to share their methodology with a worldwide audience.
Chudi Onyemeri Kalu
CEO, Middlechase Property Ltd. (Nigeria)
Chudi Onyemeri Kalu is a passionate Property Investor and Developer. He is the Chairman and Co-founder of Arkbridge Integrated Limited and Middlechase Property Limited as well as other various establishments across the real estate and construction industry. He is a rental income coach, a Speaker and Author of two best-selling books. He has over a decade of experience in the industry and is a mentor to many. He is well known for his foresight and knowledge of the Real Estate Industry. He started the trend of Rental Income Development and the concept of Cashflow in Nigeria. One of his great achievements include developing unique multi-family apartments that are affordable and able to yield maximum cashflow to owners and investors. He is the president of Africa’s Property Investment Group (AFPING), a unique investment club for like-minded investors. With diverse portfolios, Chudi teaches invaluable lessons on rental development to investors and developers at large. Chudi Onyemeri Kalu has authored a number of articles on the topic of social housing strategy implementation as well as the principle of cashflow, his mantra being ‘Let your money work for you’. These articles have appeared in publications such as BusinessDay Newspaper, Guardian Newspaper, etc. Chudi Kalu has appeared on BusinessTV's ''Nigerian Morning'' and 99.3fm NigeriaInfo's ''Morning Crossfire'' among other platforms. Chudi Onyemeri Kalu is a man of many parts. He is God's gift to humanity and to the society at large. He’s happily married with lovely kids. He was won several awards for his unique leadership skills as well as his innovation and zeal towards changing the real estate game in Nigeria. On his profile @coachchudi on Instagram and website www.coachchudi.com, you will find articles, videos and updates pertaining to Business growth, personal growth and other topics that pique your interest. We hope you find it useful and come back often to see what’s new! Together, we can make life a wonderful journey.
Dr. Andrew Nevin
Chief Economist, PwC (Nigeria)
He is a Partner & Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria. He is a public intellectual and nation builder in Nigeria, playing many key roles to advance Nigerian society. Andrew supports Nigerian youth, highlighting their achievements regularly on social media. He has been based in Lagos for over a decade. Overall, he has over 34 years of global experience in varied roles, including as an Economist, Strategy Consultant, line manager, entrepreneur, and private equity investor. In his professional career, he has previously lived in Asia, North America, and Europe.
John Okoro
Co-Founder FON (France)
John Okoro is the President of Friends of Nigeria (FON), a non-profit registered in France which today is the largest network of Nigerian professionals in France, with a fast-growing network across Europe. FON promotes economic relations between France and Nigeria and organizes the foremost investing in Nigeria conference called "Spotlight Nigeria" Business and Investment Forum which holds in Paris annually in partnership with the Embassy of Nigeria Paris and other major business networks across France and Nigeria (Business France, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Chamber of Commerce International, Paris ile de France, French Council of Investors in Africa, PwC, and many others). John Okoro has experience in Business and Project development spanning 15 Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. He presently leads Project Development for CMR Group in Sub-Saharan Africa focusing on clean and renewable energy power plants and solutions (Solar and Hybrid) in selected markets, CMRGlobal player in innovative instrumentations, controls, and turnkey intelligent Power Plants, employing over 750 employees with offices and factories in 12 countries worldwide. CMR has the ambition to become a key player in the renewable energy sector and is partnering with the private and public sectors of developing economies to transition to clean, safer, and cheaper energy. Before joining CMR Group, he worked for VERGNET Group, a global renewable energy company, and was directly involved in opening up selected new markets in Africa for VERGNET. In this role, He began my full-time career in 2009, at the time via a consulting firm that I co-founded in Nigeria called Think Possibilities Consulting. We had as part of our clients Microsoft Nigeria, Vanaplus Nigeria, Covenant University, and a number of other organizations. In 2012 we closed our consulting practice and diversified into real estate and angel investments. He also worked in Project Management and Business Development roles in the private and public sectors in Nigeria. He is always on the move connecting the dots between people, ideas, and projects.
Abiodun Odunuga
Co-Founder, FON (France)
Abiodun Dominic Odunuga is an international development consultant. Having acquired over 10 years of experience in the field of sustainability, entrepreneurship and International development, Abiodun has developed and worked on projects with organizations such as the World Bank, European Union, United Nations (UN), Africa Development Bank (AfDB), and The Commonwealth across Africa and Europe. He holds a Masters in Development Practice (MDP) degree from Sciences Po, Paris. He is the Co-Founder and Vice-President of Friends of Nigeria (FON), a diaspora organization headquartered in France that fosters socio-economic relations between France and Nigeria. Abiodun is also the project manager for the Nigeria-France Tech Initiative (NFTI) launched by Embassy of Nigeria, Paris amidst stakeholders such as the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to support the tech ecosystem between France and Nigeria. Abiodun sits on the board of many organizations and is also a lecturer on Leadership, Soft Skills and Entrepreneurship with leading institutions having students across Africa and Europe.
Dr. Adebusuyi Adeniran
UN Migration Consultant (Nigeria)
Adebusuyi Isaac Adeniran holds a PhD degree in Social Sciences and presently works as a Senior Lecturer/Researcher in migration, crime, conflict, regional integration, sustainable development and research methodology at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria. He is a National Research Consultant to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and also a Visiting Researcher at the Harriet Tubman Institute, York University, Toronto, Canada. He has had over fifty (50) publications to his credit. He is the co-editor of “African Review of Migration and Environment” (ARME). He specializes in social research design, field investigation and data management.
Kabir Mohammed
Management Consultant, CMD (Nigeria)
A. Kabir Mohammed is Director Learning & Development, The Presidency, Nigeria Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, Director of Accreditation, Curriculum Development & Quality assurance at Center for Management Development (CMD), a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administrators, a qualified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified National Accountant (CNA), Member Nigerian Institute of Management and experienced resource Manager/Administrator in Financial Management. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and an accredited Training Consultant. He has over the past 25 years worked as an external auditor, internal auditor, and Finance Manager/Administrator in Audit, Commerce, Banking and Health sectors. Furthermore, have served United Nations, World Health Organization (W.H.O.) and United States Agency for International Development, (USAID). Kabir Moh’d is also a Consultant with the African Institute of the Development Research Centre of the State Council and an Associate Professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance. He is currently undergoing Ph.D studies with Walden University USA; specialising in Leadership and Financial Management in the Department of Public Policy and Administration. With integrity he uses knowledge and technology in delivering timely results. In spite of experience and knowledge, he is humble and receptive to new learning, with a creed for excellence in service to humanity and global developments at large.
Dr. Bashir Obasekola
Chairman, NIDO Europe (Russia)
Dr. Bashir Olalekan Obasekola is the current Continental Chairman of the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDO-Europe). Dr. Bashir Obasekola is a graduate of faculty of Economics & Law of the Russian People’s Friendship University, Moscow Russia. He holds a PhD in Economics from the RUDN University. Before becoming the Continental Chairman of NIDO Europe, Dr Bashir Obasekola had held several positions in NIDOE, where he had served meritoriously and passionately. His expertise in corporate governance was handy to help the organisation to upgrade its management in terms of rules and operations. From 2014-2016, Dr Bashir Obasekola was the Continental Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDO Europe). From 2009-2014, Dr Obasekola was the Chairman of the Russian Chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDO-Russia).
Joy Michael
MD, Africa Young Entrepreneurs (Nigeria)
Executive Director for Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs. A millionaire at the age of 17 years, she is a Pan African, an Entrepreneur, and a Continent Builder. She provides a strategic approach to the pursuit and fulfillment of the vision of the Organisation while overseeing the expansion and experiential execution of the A.Y.E programs that are geared towards entrepreneurship empowerment, education, advocacy, awareness, and transformation. A business administrator with over 20 years of work experience in Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Marketing, Sales, Event Management, Brand Experience, Advertising, Brand Management, Modelling, TV Production, Fund Raising, and Consulting; she brings this extensive wealth of experiences to A.Y.E. Joy is the Co-founder of Entrepreneurs Trust Fund, the first and largest entrepreneurship cooperative in the world. She is the production Manager for the Entrepreneurs TV Show, a TV Program hosted by Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs that showcases innovative and exciting entrepreneurs from across Africa on over 10 TV Stations. She is the Managing Director of A107 Unisex Salon located ln one of the business districts in Nigeria. She is the Chief Executive Officer of BTS, a Business Development platform that offers bespoke enterprise development solutions that cater to their immediate needs. Joy sits on the board of several companies as a non-executive director and on a few Non-Profit Organisations as an Advisory Board Member. She holds a degree in business administration, some professional qualifications, and several certifications from reputable institutes. Her smile can melt a stone and brighten a room. Beautiful in and out, Joy’s core values are embedded in the acronym S.M.I.LE. which means; Simple, Magical, Integrity, Love, and Excellence. Her pride will be to see to the realization of a prosperous Africa through entrepreneurship that ultimately eradicates poverty, hunger, high mortality rate, unemployment & gender inequality. She is a trainer, a passionate speaker, and a great listener who help students and mid-income earners build healthy saving habits that help them achieve their life goals and financial freedom.
Rita Isiba
Founder, Aphropean Partners (Austria)
Inspiring global mindsets through communication and engagement. I am a moderator, corporate trainer, and writer specializing in diversity, international teamwork, and African affairs. Since 2017, I have been dedicated to multiplying global mindsets. I founded Aphropean Partners to help organizations communicate and engage for development. Organizations hire me to moderate and create an environment for effective engagement among an audience or discussion group members. And I act as a ghostwriter; I am recruited by professionals to emotionally connect with readers in sustainability, education, and African affairs. As a trainer, I have been working with teams and leaders in both Austrian and international organizations. Intercultural and interdisciplinary communication are recurring themes. I am also the founder and president of Frontiers of Dialogue Forum, an association dedicated to promoting activities between Africa and Europe.