NIDCOM Confers Diaspora Merit Awards on Prof Mobolaji Aluko and Twenty-Four Others.

 

By Funke Oyerinde

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has conferred the National Diaspora Merit Award 2023 on erudite scholar and former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Professor Mobolaji Aluko. Others include Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of WTO, Dr.Akinwujmi Adesina of AfDB, and Mrs. Amina Mohammed of the World Bank.

Presenting the award at Aso Villa in Abuja on Wednesday July 26, 2023, during the celebration of the 17th Annual National Diaspora Day 2023 and Merit Awards, the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa explained that the award was in recognition of the don's selfless service and contribution to the field of education/leadership and to appreciate his unflinching love and contribution to national development.

While presenting his citation, it was noted that the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State from 2011 to 2016, Professor Aluko, was recruited from Howard University in Washington DC, USA, built the new university from grounds up, and showed commendable integrity in the management of the university's finances, such as the refunding of overpayment of salaries running to millions of Naira.

Prof. Aluko who joined the Howard University in August 1984, had sabbatical teaching and research stints at various times at the University of Washington, (Seattle Material Science Department), the University of Maryland ( College Park: Chemical Engineering) and the Ekiti State University amongst others.

In his response, Prof Aluko, who is currently the Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Infrastructure and Public Utilities, expressed appreciation to NIDCOM for the pioneer Merit Award and congratulated co-recipients for the recognition.

Aluko who also advised Nigerian Diaspora to stay engaged with their fatherland against all odds. He also urged succeeding Federal and State Governments, particularly the current Tinubu Administration, to foster better enabling environment to make such engagements mutually profitable.