Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele: Celebrating The Allround “African Man Of The Year”
Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele is the Executive Director, (Networks) Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and a member of Nigeria's ruling political party, All Progressives Party (APC). Born over sixty years ago in Igodan-Lisa, Okitipupa in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria, the young Ifeoluwa grew up under the guidance of his father - a school inspector and his mother, a school teacher. His high intelligence quotient (IQ) may have been spotted by his parents who supported his academic ambition with all their resources and they were not disappointed. His academic prowess earned him a career as a 'certified engineer'. His exploits in his career catapulted him to higher heights and the rest of the story of his growth is domiciled with history.
Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele speaking at the award ceremony
On August 20, 2022, Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele was celebrated in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia as ' African Man Of The Year, 2022" in a sumptuous, luxuriant and lush gala evening synonymous with the 'Voice Achievers' Award' feast.
It all began when a Netherlands based international Pan-African Organization and Publishers of the first complete African magazine in the Central Europe, ' The Voice Magazine' called for nominations across Africa and the diaspora for a deserving African who will be crowned as the African man of the year in their annual award ceremony. The award sets to uncover Africans and friends of Africa whose extraordinary work, public admiration, accomplishments and those who go above and beyond the call of duty in their service to humanity. It is an award for that individual who when seen through human optical-instrument or prism is found to be consistently impeccable.
Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele proudly displays his awards
The arduous and critical task of receiving and screening nominations from across Africa and the diaspora by the Voice Achievers' award screening committee was concluded in the month of June, 2022. The President of the organization, Amb. Elvis Iruh announced the nominees in a widely circulated press release. ( https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/309470/the-gambia-voice-business-summit-and-award-2022.html ). The awards are presented in various categories. Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele won the nomination for his category as: "The Voice Achiever' African Man Of The Year, 2022"
Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele proudly displaying his awards
As soon as the news of his nomination became public, many individuals, organizations, colleagues and fellow politicians took various media platforms to congratulate him because the coveted and revered award distinguishes itself from many others. It is strictly meritorious. The President and Commader- in-Chief of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated him in a press release: https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/310960/president-buhari-hails-engineer-ifeoluwa-olusola-oyedele-for.html
L-R: Amb.Elvis Iruh (President, The Voice Achievers' Award) and Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele (Executive Director, (Networks) Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC)
Some of the previous distinguished receipients of the same category includes: 2012 – Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion (CON) of Nigeria, 2014 – His Excellency, Peter Obi of Nigeria, 2015- Pascal Bida Koyagbele of Central Africa Republic, 2019 – Professor PLO Lumumba of Kenya, 2017 – Ambassador Emad Tariq Al Janabi of Egypt, 2021 – Lord Rami Ranger from Egypt and others.
L-R:Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele (Executive Director, (Networks) Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and Mr. Faith Mba (Founder/President of FAMBA Automative, Inc., Vermont, USA)
Engr Oyedele who is a registered Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a fellow of the Risk Management Society of Nigeria is guided by the maxim of hard work, more hard work and much more hard work while being fair, reasonable and responsible in affairs with others. He has demonstrated humility, kindness, determination, trustworthiness, devotion, sacrifice and loyalty in his pursuit of life. His liberal mind revolves around the Latin quote: "Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu"' meaning that 'It is how well you live that matters........
L-R:Mr.Jeffrey Ekhator (Founder/President of Jeffang's Global Trading, The Netherlands), Engr. IfeOluwa Olusola Oyedele and Amb.Elvis Iruh (President, The Voice Achievers' Award)
In his acceptance speech at the ceremony held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia, the 'African Man Of the year, 2022, expressed his gratitude to Africans in Motherland and in diaspora who nominated him for the award. He also thanked his fellow awardees - the President of The Gambia, the First Lady of Sierra Leone and over forty other receipients.
L-R: Dr. Angela Kennedy Unufe, Mr.Jeffrey Ekhator (Founder/President of Jeffang's Global Trading, The Netherlands) Uzonna Olive Okonkwo, Mr. Daniel Richard, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele(Executive Director (Networks),Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO), Chief Mrs. Nwanne Campo, Ambassador Muhammed Manu(Nigeria High Commissioner To The Gambia) Engr. Gadzama M. Mele (General manager Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) and Dr. Nosa Aigbe Libarty
Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele had on the previous day, delivered a keynote address in the same venue as part of the ceremonies that cheered in the gala night. In the address, he submitted that African-led solution is the answer to building a developed, valued, and respected Africa. The twenty three page document was described by Mr Henry Oduenyi, the publisher of The Nigerian Voice as an authentic manual for African leaders and policymakers.
The President of the award organization, Amb. Elvis Iruh commended the recipient and counseled him to keep up with his efforts to positively impact on humanity.
L-R: Mrs Sandra Iruh, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele(Executive Director (Networks),Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) and Amb.Elvis Iruh (President, The Voice Achievers' Award)
L-R: Uzonna Olive Okonkwo, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele, Mr. Faith Mba and Mr Ndubisi Ezeagabu
L-R:Mr. Daniel Richard, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele(Executive Director (Networks),Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO), Ambassador Muhammed Manu(Nigeria High Commissioner To The Gambia), Engr. Gadzama M. Mele (General manager Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) and Ambassador Salisu Umaru (Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal)
Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele(Executive Director (Networks),Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) Delivering the keynote address
L-R:Abdulaziz Ahmad, Uzonna Olive Okonkwo, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele(Executive Director (Networks), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) and Ambassador Laila Rahhsl El Atfan
L-R:Ajola Khan Jallow (Founder, Growher Africa, The Gambia), Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele (Executive Director (Networks),Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) and Uzonna Olive Okonkwo