Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has praised the remarkable achievements of three young Nigerians making significant strides on the international stage.
Highlighting their accomplishments on X.com on Wednesday, Obi expressed pride in their contributions and optimism for Nigeria’s future.
Among these trailblazers is Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, a British-Nigerian appointed as the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University at just 33 years old, marking her as the youngest individual to hold such a prestigious position in the UK.
Another standout is Nigerian-American singer Collins Obinna Chibueze, known as Shaboozey, who recently topped the US Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with his hit track ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’.
Adding to this roster of achievers is Ijeoma Akunyili, elected as an alumni board member of Harvard Kennedy School in the United States.
He added that young Nigerians, in different fields of endeavours, had continued to blaze the trail on the global stage and it is a thing of joy to read their success stories.
He said, “Recently, I read the story of Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, a 33-year-old British-Nigerian lady who has been appointed the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom, making her the youngest person to hold such a position in the UK.
“Next is Nigerian-American singer, Collins Obinna Chibueze, popularly known as Shaboozey, who has made history by topping the US Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Shaboozey rose to global prominence with his hit song ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’.
“And just yesterday, it was reported in the media how the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in the US elected another Nigerian, Ijeoma Akunyili, as an alumni board member of the institution.”
In celebrating these accomplishments, Peter Obi underscored the importance of nurturing and supporting Nigerian youth to excel globally.”
He called for effective leadership in Nigeria that would harness and cultivate the immense talents and creativity present in the country, ensuring a conducive environment for future generations to thrive.
He added, “I am glad to celebrate these young Nigerians and many other unsung heroes not captured in the media, and whose stories of success remind us of the endless flow of creativity and an infinite supply of talents with which Nigeria is endowed. ·
“Given the right leadership in the country, Nigerian youths will continue to excel on the global stage.
“I sincerely congratulate them on their recent achievements and urge them not to rest on their oars but to strive harder for higher goals.”
Obi concluded by urging the celebrated individuals not to relent in
their pursuit of excellence and to serve as inspirations to younger Nigerians aspiring to make their mark on the world stage.
He emphasised that with the right leadership and opportunities, Nigeria’s youth will continue to shine brightly, contributing to both national development and global progress.
He said, “I also encourage them to inspire the younger ones who look up to them and continue to contribute to the development of our nation.
“By delivering the right leadership, in the New Nigeria, our youth will continue to soar higher on the global stage.”
Akunyili is the daughter of the late former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
A medical doctor and public policy activist, she once held the role of Regional Medical Director for TeamHealth’s Northeast Group, overseeing operations across nearly 20 emergency departments, critical care, and hospitalist service lines in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Before this, she served as Chair of Emergency Medicine at Waterbury Hospital.
On January 11, 2023, Jersey City Medical Center appointed Ijeoma as their Chief Medical Officer, marking her as the hospital’s first Black Chief Medical Officer.
Imafidon is a British-Nigerian computer scientist and STEM advocate. She is notable for her work in promoting diversity and gender inclusion in technology and science.
Anne-Marie gained recognition for being one of the youngest people to pass A-level computing at age 11.
She studied at the University of Oxford, where she earned a master’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Shaboozey is a singer and songwriter who gained attention and popularity for his distinctive blend of country music infused with elements of Afrobeat and contemporary pop. He had part of his high school education in Nigeria.
His breakthrough came with the hit song ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, which topped the US Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
