Daud Olatunji
Former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola, was honored by the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Michael Situ, for his outstanding service during Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary celebration.
Ambassador Isola received an Excellent Stewardship Award in recognition of his dedicated service to the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom.
Former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, was recently honored in a grand celebration organized by His Worshipful, The Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Cllr Michael Situ.
The event, which took place on Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at the Council Headquarters on Tooley Street in London, was held in commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.
The theme of the event, “Integration and the Nigerian Perspective,” aimed to reflect on Nigeria’s image and the roles of Nigerians in contemporary British society. Distinguished speakers were invited to shed light on the challenges faced by Nigerians in Britain.
During the ceremony, the Mayor took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the exemplary service of His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, during his tenure as High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK.
He presented Ambassador Isola with an “Excellent Stewardship Award” in recognition of his remarkable contributions to improving Nigeria’s image and his dedicated engagement with both British and Nigerian communities in the United Kingdom.
Mayor Situ commended Ambassador Isola for his proactive approach and described him as an ambassador who bridged communities and fostered positive relationships.
He emphasized the importance of recognizing individuals like Ambassador Isola who have made substantial contributions to the development of the community.
In a heartfelt presentation, the Mayor bestowed upon Ambassador Isola the Southwark Council plaque of Excellence, along with various Southwark Council memorabilia, including the Southwark flag, tie, lapels, scarf, and umbrella. He encouraged Ambassador Isola to carry the Southwark flag with him wherever he goes.
In response to the honor, Ambassador Isola expressed his gratitude to the Mayor for organizing the forum, which discussed issues related to integration and the Nigerian perspective.
During a panel discussion, he urged the Nigerian community in the UK to unite around common objectives, emphasizing the value of diversity and the need for patriotism, bonding, networking, and oneness.
Ambassador Isola cited the example of the Indian community in Britain, which has successfully integrated into British society, and encouraged Nigerian professionals and stakeholders to meet regularly to address shared concerns.
He also advised against Nigerians leaving their homeland solely for the purpose of travel, stressing that Nigeria offers profitable business opportunities.
Furthermore, Ambassador Isola cautioned against promoting negative narratives about Nigeria on social media platforms, as this could lead to unfavorable profiling of Nigerians in the UK. Instead, he called for a shift towards positive networking and dialogue to harness the intellectual and human capacity within the Nigerian diaspora.
In conclusion, Ambassador Isola expressed his hope that the Mayor and other Nigerians in the UK would continue to work towards creating a better environment for Nigerians in the country.
The event was attended by prominent UK politicians, members of parliament, community leaders, and representatives from various professional organizations, demonstrating the widespread support and appreciation for Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola’s exceptional service.
The ceremony was a testament to the positive impact of individuals like Ambassador Isola in building bridges and strengthening ties between communities.
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