The Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has nominated Mr Oluyemi Ogundele to be honoured with the 2025 National Diaspora Merit Award.
The award ceremony, in celebration of the National Diaspora Day 2025 Celebrations, an hybrid event, will hold at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday and Saturday.
Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Honourable (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this in a letter, NIDC/CM/001/NDD/25/IV, to Ogundele, dated 22 May, 2025.
The nominee is a two-term former chairman (for four years) of the Nigeria Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), Austrian Chapter.
The NIDCOM chairman stated in the letter that the 2025 National Diaspora Merit Award was in recognition of the significant contributions of Mr Ogundele to entertainment and as a role model to be emulated by other Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The Federal Government has declared July 25th of every year as the National Diaspora Day (NDD) to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate the over 20 million Nigerians in the Diaspora who have contributed immensely to national development.
The NDD is a networking, advocacy and mobilisation event.
One of the core mandates of NiDCOM is to encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to contribute to the development of Nigeria.
The NiDCOM chairman stated in the letter: “It is affirmative to state that Nigerians all over the world are doing great things and adding value to their host countries.
“This event is predicated upon the importance of recognising and celebrating Nigerians in Diaspora who have excelled in their various fields of endeavours and contributing to the overall development of Nigeria.
“These exceptional Nigerians have, over the time, contributed in making Nigeria a better place in their own capacities.
“It is thus important that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Commission recognise these remarkable feats.
“Mr Oluyemi Olawale Ogundele, in light of the above, the Commission found you a deserving recipient of the National Diaspora Merit Award 2025 for your significant contributions in entertainment and a Role Model to other Nigerians in the Diaspora to emulate.
“This is an invitation to be part of the National Diaspora Day 2025 celebrations, scheduled to hold on the 25th and National Diaspora Merit Award on 26th July, 2025.
“The events will be at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, by 15hrs (WAT) on Friday the 25th of July 2025 and the National Diaspora Merit Award by 17hrs (WAT) on Saturday, 26th of July, 2025 respectively.
“Consequently, you are hereby nominated as an Awardee for the National Diaspora Merit Award 2025.”
The awardee was directed to forward his letter of acceptance, a portrait picture and one-page citation to NiDCOM for proper documentation.
“While looking forward to your positive response, please accept the assurances of our highest regards,” Honourable Dabiri-Erewa stated in the letter.
