PRESS RELEASE August 26, 2009
Humanity for Africa Foundation (HFAF) organizes Lecture to Mark 49TH Anniversary of Nigeria Independence
The Nigerian community is an important part of the State of New Jersey. The Nigerian community with its long and proud history has contributed much to the culture of the country.
In its vision to become the best NGO for the promotion of civic, health, educational and cultural integration in both African and American communities, the Humanity for Africa Foundation (HFAF) is to organize the 2009 Annual Public Lecture Series to among other things mark the 49th Anniversary of Nigerian Independence in New Jersey and to educate the people on its programs.. The lecture holds at the Multipurpose Hall of the Essex County College, Newark from 6pm-10pm on October 2, 2009.
The Theme of this lecture is “Issues of Educational Development in Rural African Communities” to be delivered by the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Honorable Mr. Ibrahim Auwalu under the Co-Chairmanship of Dr. Zachary Yamba, President of the Essex College; Mr. Don Viapree of the Cablevision; Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center at New Jersey City University among others. The Governor of the State New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine has been invited to attend this event as the Special Guest of Honor. The popular “Ogadinma Cultural Dance Group” will entertain the audience.
While the lecture is designed to educate the public on the programs of the Humanity for Africa Foundation (HFAF); it will also be used to raise funds for scholarships and school materials for the Foundation’s pilot primary schools in Nigeria. The Humanity for Africa Foundation embarking on primary education program in the rural communities will help to empower the people and liberate them from hunger and other social problems.
The Foundation accepts donations in cash and in form of school supplies from individuals and groups to help achieve its objectives. According to the President/Executive Director of the Foundation, Hon. Okems Innocent Okemezie, “in the rural Nigerian and indeed African communities, illiteracy is the cause of all problems. The Humanity for Africa Foundation promotes child and adult education through mass literacy classes, scholarships, renovation of schools and provision of school supplies. The members of the Foundation want to do to the Lord for all His goodness to them and will like you to join them”
The four cardinal programs of the Foundation are in the areas of education, health, culture and civic education. Also a documentary on Africa past and present will be presented at the event with an African cultural dance to entertain the audience.
The supporting organizations include the Obi Group of Connecticut, Rutgers Center for African Studies; Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center of the New Jersey City University, Jersey City; the NewarkNow; Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO); African and American Alliance and the African Commission.
Fore more information. Please call 908-468-9147
NIGERIAN APPOINTED COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITEDSTATES.
NIGERIAN APPOINTED COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITEDSTATES.
BY GODFREY UGBAJA
Hon. Okems Innocent OkemezieThe number of Nigerians and indeed sons of Umuaka community that have distinguished themselves in various spheres of life has again been increased with the appointment of Hon. Okems Innocent Okemezie as aCommissioner for African Commission in Newark, United States of America. The appointment is for a period of four years in thefirst instance and may be renewed. Created by the City Ordinance on August 1, 2007 as part of the Mayor’s campaign promise to the AfricanCommunity in Newark (USA), the Commission is a seven-member commission drawn from African Countries resident in Newark. The Commissioners were sworn-in this morning January 10, 2008 at the Newark City Hall by the City Clerk, Mr. Kenneth Louis. In his speech at the ceremony, the Newark Mayor, Cory A. Booker, stated that the creation of the Commission will strengthen the ties between the African Diaspora community of Newark and its roots. It will enable them to strengthen economic, cultural, and social links between the two great societies. The commission he further stated, will manifest the power, strength, history, and resilience of the African peoples in the city of Newark, and educate and empower the Africa-American community within the Newark city.
The Commission will connect the African traditions with the American lives and futures he further stated.Mayor Cory further said that “Today we are recognizing the great achievements heritage, and power of African culture and life in the City of Newark, and making their strength a part of our greater strength as a city,” Mayor Booker said. “This commission will manifest African culture to our residents, unite the African Diaspora in Newark with its homeland, and serve as an advocate for that Diaspora in our city. It will help unite us as a people and empower our drive towards excellence.”In his speech during the swearing-in ceremony, Hon. Okemezie noted that the Commission will help to galvanize the role and contributions of the African immigrant population as a support mechanism for thesocial, political and professional development of the African and the African-American youths. The Commission will equally promote policies and awareness of issues concerning the cultural, social, economic, political, educational and general well being of the two societies. It will study, develop and recommend to the Mayor such policies, programs and activities that will help to promote African life andto collaborate with organized bodies in designing and sponsoring programs and events that are aimed at promoting African cultural awareness and contemporary policy considerations. The commissioners will interact with institutions at the International, Federal, State and Municipal levels of government to promote issues concerning the African people, their programs and activities. Part of the responsibilities of the commissioners will be to develop and implement social, political and cultural programs aimed at strengthening the potentials and identification of young African-Americans and people of African descent with human and material resources and rich history of African continent. Furthermore, the commission will serve as a means of strengthening relations between all people of African descent and the promotion of social and cultural awareness and will constitute a frame work for the development and implementation of social, cultural and educational programs that will strengthen pride in African common heritage and ideas. Indeed, the Commission is expected to be a rallying point for the City’s African, African-American and other populations, many of whom feel disaffected and disconnected from the social, political and financial machinations of the past years of Newark politics.
The distinguished Hon. Okems Innocent Okemezie had his secondary education at Saint Saviors Secondary School, Umuaka, Imo State, Nigeria before proceeding to the University of Port Harcourt where he graduated with an honors degree in History in 1985.In 1987, he served as the Documentation Office of the Imo State Library Board, Owerri and with the creation of the Directorate for Social Mobilization (MAMSER); he was recruited as the Social Mobilization Officer for the former Nkwerre/Isu Local Government Area in January 1988. He later attended the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry and obtained a certificate in Mass Mobilization.As a mobilization Officer, Hon. Okemezie brought unequalled dynamism into the activities of the agency such that the Nigerian airwaves were filled/inundated with his numerous people-oriented activities. Not surprising therefore, in 1989, he became the overall Mobilization Officer in the State and was subsequently promoted and appointed the Head of Mass Mobilization, State Headquarters, Owerri and was later made the Head of Publicity and Information of the agency.An eloquent speaker and orator of unparalleled dimension that is complemented by infectious smiles that effortlessly expose sparkling white teeth of even dentition, Hon. Okemezie is a beauty to behold when addressing an audience. His smiles are occasionally spiced with heavy laughter with synchronized amiable tones and rhythms. The audience at the Newark City hall was served this delicious meal on January 10, 2008 during his speech at the swearing-in ceremony and they will forever bear testimonies to that effect.A man of great interest in the African Culture and Tradition, Hon Okemezie developed an inspiration for the study of African Culture with particular emphasis on African traditional institutions.
Based on extensive research and experience, he published in 1990 his book “More Than Five Decades of Reign” of His Royal Majesty, Eze Patrick Ibeakamma Acholonu, Igwe X of Orlu, Isiobi-Ukwu Gedegwum. The book represents animportant step in the study of African Culture and tradition.In 1991, Hon. Okemezie co-founded the Umuaka Community Bank and served as the Company Secretary of the bank as well as Deputy Director, Directorate for Social Mobilization (MAMSER), Imo State before he left for the United States of America on August 20, 1996.In 2003, Hon. Okemezie attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and obtained a degree in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment and in the same year, he was awarded a certificate of Academic Excellence by the school of Health and Related professions of the University. Thereafter, he was recruited as an Employment Counselor by the ARC of Essex County, West Orange Offices in 2003. In 2006, Hon. Okemezie was appointed the Program Monitor of the Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training of the City of Newark.
In recognition of his immense contributions towards selfless and outstanding Community development, leadership and mobilization especially in initiating the Newark Njaba South Umuaka, Imo State, Nigera-Sister City Relations, the Umuaka Community in America, honored him with a Service Award in October, 2007.The sterling qualities of Okemezie have now metamorphosed into his appointment as a commissioner for African Commission, City of Newark, New Jersey in the United States of American and he was sworn-in onJanuary 10, 2008 by Mayor Cory A. Booker. Hon Okemezie, you have made the entire African continent proud and you have brought great honors to Nigeria, your town Umuaka and especially your village Amakor as well as your Alma Mata - St. Savior’s secondary school, Umuaka. I have no doubt that you will perform excellently inthe discharge of the enormous responsibility which this appointment places on your shoulders.Godfrey Ugbaja works with Champion Newspapers in Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
Humanity for Africa Foundation Celebrates
1st Annual African Diaspora Festival
Newark, NJ-August 2, 2009- The Humanity for Africa Foundation (HFAF) in association with the City of Newark African Commission celebrates the first Annual African Diaspora Festival in New Jersey on Sunday August 2, 2009 at the Military Park Newark, New Jersey.
The Festival which is designed to promote the African civilization by reinforcing unity and cultural integration will help to affirm and define the legacy of the African Diaspora; aimed at encouraging self-reliance amongst the people.
The festival will among other things help to increase quality relationships and dialogue between communities and will attract people of African descent from Africa, Americas, Caribbean Islands and beyond to share ancestry, history, and rich African cultural heritage.
It is hoped that the celebration will help to create a channel of understanding of the African tradition and civilization that will establish a strong global relationships and brotherly and sisterly relationships within the communities.
According to the Executive Director of the Foundation, Honorable Okems Innocent Okemezie, by sponsoring and organizing this festival, the Humanity for Africa Foundation wants to leverage an association with Africa`s millennia-old cultures, history, and languages into a base upon which to promote a life affirming, self-esteemed enhancing education and interaction to the often disaffected youth of African Diaspora. “Humanity for Africa Foundation develops and implements most of these social and cultural programs to strengthen the identity of young Africans with the rich history of the continent” Okemezie said.
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