On November 6, 2024, Queen Mother Ambassador Amina Temitope Labinjo Ajayi, affectionately known as "Mama Diaspora," delivered an impassioned address at the National Assembly Library and Resource Center in Abuja. The symposium, themed “Harnessing Emerging Opportunities in the Creative, Digital, Green, and Blue Economies for National Development,” gathered an esteemed audience of government representatives, including members from the presidency, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and various ministries, departments, and agencies. Organized by Rt. Hon. Patty Etete-Inemeh, Special Assistant on Strategy and the Creative Economy to the Senate President, the event showcased insightful lectures from distinguished experts on policy formation and execution.
Queen Mother Ajayi, a prominent Nigerian-American entrepreneur and Chairman of Silicon Valley Nigeria Economic Development (SV-NED) Inc. USA and SV-NED Nigeria Ltd, hailed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for redefining legislative leadership and for his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s development agenda. “Senate President Akpabio is leading a new chapter for Nigeria's legislative arm, one that inspires change and strengthens our nation,” she stated, emphasizing that his leadership is reshaping Nigeria’s governance for the better. She also commended the author Mon-Charles Egbo for the book Perspectives on Senator Godswill Akpabio and the 10th Senate, which was unveiled at the event, noting that it accurately captures Akpabio’s forward-thinking impact on Nigeria’s legislative progress.
In her speech, Queen Mother Ajayi announced her support for various policy proposals presented at the symposium and pledged substantial financial backing to facilitate their implementation. Known for her dedication to Nigeria’s progress and her role as an influential foreign investor, Queen Mother Ajayi has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including a remarkable $19.6 billion investment she has facilitated for Nigeria. This investment initiative, coordinated in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), aims to create employment, housing, and social security opportunities for Nigerian graduates. “Our vision is to reignite the opportunities once accessible to Nigerian graduates, where housing, job placements, and even car loans were attainable,” she shared, reminiscing about the “good old days” and pledging her ongoing commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth.
Queen Mother Ajayi’s investments reflect her strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which she praised for its dedication to leading Nigeria toward a prosperous future. “President Tinubu is a man of integrity and purpose, whose leadership is a testament to his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s advancement,” she said. Queen Mother Ajayi also highlighted the international recognition her organization has garnered, as SV-NED serves as a bridge for Silicon Valley innovators to contribute to Nigeria’s emerging markets, especially in creative and green economies.
The symposium also featured leading experts in the field of sustainable development, including Dr. Halima Ahmed Usman, Ph.D., whose lecture titled "Powering Rural Development, Cottage Industries, and the Export Processing Zones with a Green Economy: Some of the Options" captured the audience’s attention. Dr. Usman offered a comprehensive analysis of how green economies can fuel rural development and bolster Nigeria's export potential, urging stakeholders to focus on sustainable growth models.
Queen Mother Ajayi closed her remarks with high praise for the event’s speakers and attendees, commending them for their insightful contributions. She expressed gratitude to the Chief of Staff to the Senate President and other key contributors for their dedication and pledged her organization’s financial support to advance the policies discussed at the symposium. “Nigeria’s future is indeed bright,” she concluded. “With visionary leaders like President Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, we are moving steadily toward a stronger, more prosperous nation.”
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