Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Councilor Abigail Marshall Katung, a British-Nigerian, who is the newly appointed Lord Mayor of Leeds, for a term of 2024-2025.
The NIDCOM boss also congratulated Tope Awotona, a Nigerian-born entrepreneur, who has officially been declared the richest Nigerian immigrant in the United States.
In a congratulatory message through the Director of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described the appointment and attainment of the duo as very well deserved.
Dabiri-Erewa said she was not surprised about the appointment of Councilor Katung going by her past achievements and records which have had positive impact on humanity.
She prayed for a successful and impactful tenure for her, and urged Nigerians in Leeds to continue to rally round and give her necessary support geared towards national development.
Katung made history as the first elected African Councilor in Leeds in the history of the council.
She is currently the Chair of Scrutiny Board for Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth.
Katung has previously held other senior posts, including lead member for Race/BAME, lead member for Faith and Belief among others.
She is also the co-Chair of David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA), and plays a strategic leadership role for the Leeds African Communities Trust, an umbrella organisation for African communities in Leeds.
On the other hand, Tope Awotona, a 42-year-old Nigerian-born and founder/CEO of the scheduling software company, Calendly, has risen as the richest Nigerian immigrant residing in the United States of America.
According to Forbes, Awotona, who relocated to the US during his teenage years, holds a net worth of $1.2 billion while his company variation is worth over $3 billion.
