London, UK— As part of the continuing effort of UPF-Nigeria to reach out to Nigerians in diaspora and mobilize them to support the peace building initiatives in Nigeria, Chief Bimbo Robert Folayan (MBCS CITP) was appointed by UPF-Nigeria as an Ambassador for Peace.
Chief Folayan, executive director of Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS), had his certificate presented at the gala dinner of NDDIS 2017, held at Balmoral Suites, Holiday Inn, Kensington High Street, Wrights Lane, London W8 5SP on July 15, 2017.
Chief Folayan was earlier appointed as an Ambassador for Peace by UPF-Nigeria as one of the outstanding Nigerian leaders in diaspora to support the founding vision of the UPF and help spread the work of peace to the growing community of Nigerians in diaspora.
The 4th NDDIS 2017, a 3-day event held in London, is dedicated to mobilizing Nigerians in diaspora to set up small and medium scale industries and generate employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
The High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom declared in his remarks to the Summit that Nigeria’s huge diaspora population can be a portent force for national transformation.
The event had more than 30 speakers, including: Secretary to the Lagos State government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Deputy Chair Senate Committee on Diaspora Matters, Senator Lanre Tejuosho; Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Boye Oyewunmi; Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Wabote; Mrs. Iyabode Alaba Lawson, member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), national president, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMMA); Mr. Tunji Bello, secretary to the Lagos State government; Prof. Ademola Abass, special adviser to the Lagos State governor, Overseas Affairs & Investment; Mr. Olawale Oluwo, honorary commissioner, Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources; Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, honorary commissioner, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Olayinka Lawal, special assistant to the governor, Investment Management & Risk Analysis.
UPF-Nigeria was represented by Amb. Vickie Robert Okere, who serves as UPF-Nigeria’s Director for Diaspora Affairs (Europe). The Ambassador for Peace certificate was presented on behalf of UPF-Nigeria by Mrs. Vickie Robert Okere and the First Lady of the Nigerian Mission House, Mrs. June Douglas. “Chief Bimbo was commissioned as an Ambassador for Peace for his outstanding work in his nation of residence (United Kingdom) and local communities in Nigeria and around the world, especially among the Nigeria Diaspora community.”
Chief Folayan thanked the UPF Founders for the Ambassadors for Peace initiative and pledged his commitment to serve as a global peace builder who will not let his nation and the organization down at any time. He promised to mobilize Nigerians in diaspora and support the work of UPF around the world.