President Joe Biden has announced the appointment of two Nigerian-American experts as his special advisers on African Diaspora Engagement. Osagie Imasogie and Chineye Ogwumike are among the 12 members of the President’s Advisory Council, which aims to enhance dialogue between US officials and people of African descent living in the US.
The council, which will serve for the 2023-2025 term, consists of individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields, such as government, sports, business, entertainment, health, and culture. The council will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between the US and Africa and promote trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the two regions.
Imasogie is the chairman of Quoin Capital, an investment bank and broker-dealer, and a co-founder of PIPV Capital, a private equity firm focused on the life sciences industry. He has also held senior positions in pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, SmithKline Beecham, and DuPont Merck. He is a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is also an adjunct professor of intellectual property.
Ogwumike is a two-time WNBA All-Star for the Los Angeles Sparks and a full-time, multi-platform ESPN commentator and NBA analyst. She is one of the only full-time professional athletes to also hold a full-time national sports media broadcast position. She graduated from Stanford University with an international relations degree under the mentorship of Dr. Condoleezza Rice. She is also an executive producer of an ESPN Films documentary “144” on the 2020 WNBA season.
The Nigerian government has congratulated the two appointees and expressed that their recognition and selection for the advisory council serve as inspiration for fellow Nigerians and Africans. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, said in a statement that the nomination of the two great Nigerians is a welcome development.
The appointment of Imasogie and Ogwumike reflects Biden’s commitment to strengthening the US-Africa partnership and engaging with the African diaspora in the US. The council will also help to advance the interests and values of both sides and foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
Source: Business day
