The NPG Gala & Awards

An exciting event showcasing the achievements of African professionals in diaspora

The Second Edition!

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Changing our narrative, as we celebratehonorshowcase the African Professionals, Students and Entrepreneurs in diaspora

The NPG Annual Gala and Awards is an initiative geared to promote the achievements of Africans in the diaspora, and their impact in the communities. The theme of this year’s edition is “Showcasing Excellence.” We are committed to changing the narratives about Africa and African diaspora by amplifying the accomplishments of our people to the global world.

Purpose of the Awards


The goal is targeted towards three focus areas:

EXCELLENCE

To promote professional excellence, encourage high standard delivery in various industries and challenge our members to set the bar high.

MOTIVATION

To create a career of highest recognition in the industry that motivates aspirations amongst students, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

SHOWCASE

Retooling the African narrative to showcase the exploits of African professionals as innovative, resourceful, resilient, and impactful.

2022 Theme: Showcasing Excellence

The theme of our second edition is – Showcasing excellence our goal is to plant the seed for upcoming generations, as we showcase the exceptional achievements born of passion, tenacity, hard work, and commitment of our people.

We are an organisation that caters to students, professionals and entrepreneurs. This year we are expanding our award to focus on Africans and the impact of their exceptional professionalism and entrepreneurship in the community and within their various industries.

Look out for more information

Countdown begins!

The Gala Event

DATE/TIME

SATURDAY, 17 DEC. @ 7:00 PM

PLACE

DISTRICT HALL

LOCATION

BOSTON, MA

An Evening to Remember

Save the date, dress your best, and come celebrate with us!

  • District Hall, 75 Northern Avenue, Boston MA 02210
  • Doors open at 6:30 pm (Red Carpet | Cocktail | Networking)
  • Gala & Dinner at 8.00pm ( Keynote Speaker | Dinner | Award Presentation | Fundraising | Entertainment)
  • The Gala After Party ( Same venue, different hall. )

Don’t miss out, join us to celebrate and network with other professionals.

Get your ticket now

Parking Information:

Street meter parking is available near District Hall. Other parking information are as follows:

  1. Pilgrim Parking Fan Pier: One Marina Park Drive (recommended)
  2. LAZ Watermark Seaport Parking: 85 Seaport Boulevard
  3. One Seaport Parking Garage: 75 Sleeper Street
  4. 101 Seaport Blvd Parking: Entrance located on Autumn Lane
  5.  Parking Lot beside District Hall: 75 Northern Ave Parking

Hotel Booking: Click here for discounted rates. Valid till 12th Dec 2022

Award Categories

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to exemplary Africans in Diaspora in recognition of exceptional leadership, service and a passion for the development and advancement of Africans. Through their actions and contributions, the recipients have been benevolent towards the causes for Africa. In their respective communities, accomplishments that are truly extraordinary, widely recognized as such, and of positive and lasting quality.

TRAILBLAZER AWARD

The Trailblazer Award is presented to leaders and entrepreneurs in recognition of their commitment and sacrifice, who have demonstrated a visionary track record for excellence and innovation. An ambitious leader who is building and sustaining successful and dynamic business on a transformational journey, they have made great contributions to the communities for many years and have reaffirmed through their perseverance and dedication.

VISIONARY AWARD

The Visionary Award honors leaders whose trailblazing work impacts the ongoing drive to shape the foundation of Africans and create a sense of belonging within our community for African in diaspora. This award also seeks to recognize the commitment, support, and visionary input that continues to shape NPG goals and strategy.

IMPACT AWARD

The Impact Award honors leaders whose commitment, sacrifice and advocacy work drives positive impacts in our community The award recognizes work that presents innovative ideas and contribution to knowledge that has proved influential and impactful in our community.

View All Award Recipients

Award Recipients

Dr. Akintoye Akindele

Lifetime Achievement Award

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Helen Adeosun

Trailblazer Award

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Lanre Ajakaiye

Trailblazer Award

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Ngozi Nnaji, MS

Visionary Award

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Tomisi Kikama

Visionary Award

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Dr. Temitope Omotayo

Impact Award

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Dr. Anne Osula

Impact Award

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Oye Owolewa

Impact Award

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Meet our Keynote Speaker: Dr. Akintoye Akindele

Dr. Akintoye Akindele is the founder & Chairman of Platform Capital Investment Partners, a family office with a portfolio value of more than $1.5B working across 8 countries. He is also Chairman of Unicorn Group, Founder & CEO of Duport Midstream Company Limited (the first energy park in Africa); Founder & Chairman of Atlantic International Refineries & Petrochemicals Limited, Co-Chairman of Liquidity Club and Director of Koniku Inc. USA, amongst others. 

Dr Akintoye is a Lecturer and Faculty member of the University of Lagos Business School and Founder of Synergy Capital Managers. He is a CFA Charter holder and earned a doctorate in Business Administration (Finance) from the International School of Management in Paris, and Author of ‘A Love Affair with Failure’ published by Forbes.

 

Meet our Host: Omari Jahi Aarons

Omari Jahi Aarons has worked with Fortune 150 companies his entire career as a disruptive leader and transformation coach. Currently, Omari is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the National African American Insurance Association, a 1,700-member organization focused on professional development, personal empowerment, and talent access of its members. 

Over the last two years, Omari has worked as an independent management consultant specializing in workplace equity and inclusion through the Aarons Group LLC. Omari is a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH and a Master of Divinity Candidate at Boston University School of Theology.

DJ Emteezy rocks the Gala After Party 

One of Naija’s best Dj on the east coast, Boston-based DJ Emteezy will be dropping the finest Nigerian Afrobeats and so much more… as we celebrate another eventful year. Dj Emteezy has always been an avid listener to music of all genres since late childhood and started Dj’ing several years ago at events in the Boston and New England area. His musical versatility helped him expand from his initial comfort zone to unfamiliar musical territories and he has developed his signature style and became a DJ without musical boundaries. 

Dj Emteezy has a BS in Biochemistry and Masters degrees in Accounting and Business Administration and is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Sponsors

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Partners

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Contact Us:

For all your 2022 Gala & Awards enquires, partnership, and support, kindly email us: events@nigerianprogroup.org 

Don't Miss out on a great Night to Celebrate Excellence

Grow your professional net worth. network with other professionals, students and entrepreneurs!

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Dr. Akintoye Akindele, CFA, DBA, FICA

Dr. Akintoye Akindele is a Lecturer, Nurturer and Builder of future minds at leading schools in Africa and globally. He is also an investor, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. Dr. Akindele is the Founder & Chairman of Platform Capital; Chairman of Unicorn Group; Founder & CEO of Duport Midstream (the first energy park in Africa); Founder, CEO & Chairman of Atlantic International Refineries & Petrochemicals Limited; CEO & Chairman of Diatom Impact; a Future Africa Awards Honoree; awarded African Business Leader of the year 2022 by African Leadership Organization; and a Business Accessibility & Inclusion Champion by the African Women’s Development and Communications Network. He is also the Founder of Synergy Capital Managers and Advisers and was Managing Partner of Synergy Capital Managers up until November 30th, 2019.

Dr. Akindele’s family office, Platform Capital, is a growth markets focused, sector agnostic, a principal investment firm with a portfolio value in excess of US$1.5bn. Platform has a presence in 8 countries across 5 continents, and over 170 investments (including 5 global VC funds) in 9 sectors. Platform deploys patient, value accretive capital alongside international and local value investors to create champion businesses with the ability for regional scale. He sits on the boards of international companies such as Koniku, Koko Networks, Leo Flight, Lipa Later, MaC Ventures, Sanivation, Tuma, Ada Animation, AgroBell, Big Cabal Media, Bookings Africa, Elect Her, Edusko, Elite CV, Koyo Nation, Mahoghany Studios, Merge, Milton Foods Group, Mobaby, PayCloud, Saferoom, Solar Fi, Strap, Valio Technologies, Yahshud, and Sustainability Truthing.

Through Unicorn Group, a pan-African investment company targeting innovative ideas, start-ups and early-stage companies in the technology and technology-enabled sectors across Africa that have the potential to emerge as unicorns, Dr. Akindele has impacted over 100,000 youth entrepreneurs in Africa and internationally.

With his latest book “A Love Affair With Failure”, Dr. Akindele is a best-selling author on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers. He also serves as a faculty member at the University of Lagos Business School, lecturing on finance and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Akindele completed his tertiary education in Nigeria, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with honours from the Obafemi Awolowo University. He received a doctorate in Business Administration
(Finance) from the International School of Management – Paris, France. Dr. Akindele is a CFA charter holder and a trustee of the CFA Society of Nigeria, a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administrators in Nigeria, a Fellow of the Energy Institute, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources & Strategic Management Nigeria. He is also an alumnus of the London and Said Business Schools, having attended various senior executive programmes in Management and Strategy, Advanced Corporate Finance and Private Equity amongst others.

Dr. Akindele is passionate about the development and growth of entrepreneurs in Africa. He is a frequent speaker at leading business
schools, conferences, and seminars on investing in Africa, private investment in Africa and the role of entrepreneurship in Africa’s evolution. He supports and donates to various institutions that provide grants to entrepreneurs. 

Helen Adeosun

Helen Adeosun, CEO and Founder of CareAcademy, has built a career driving outcomes for adult learners and finding meaningful ways for them to engage in learning. She launched CareAcademy to unite cutting-edge education strategies with the unique needs of the historically underserved caregiver community. To date, more than 300,000 learners have completed over 1.5 million CareAcademy classes, and the company is aiming to reskill more than 1 million new home-care workers by 2023. The company has been named one of the 100 most innovative Edtech Companies in North America by HolonIQ and was a prior global winner of the MIT Future of Work Challenge. In 2021, CareAcademy was ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, a recognition of America’s fastest-growing private companies, and named one of Inc.’s Best in Business.

Adeosun has previously worked with Pearson Education, Teach for America, and the Boston Public Schools. She was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list in 2020, one of Ten Outstanding Young Leaders by the Boston Chamber of Commerce in 2021, and a winner of EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year New England Award and one of the Boston Globe’s inaugural Tech Power Players 50 in 2022. Helen serves on the board of the Caregiver Action Network and is a frequent industry speaker, a fierce champion of home care, and an advocate for the direct care worker.

Adeosun earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Politics and Arabic Studies and holds an EdM. in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University.

Lanre Ajakaiye

A Visionary, innovator who combines passion and purpose is the best way to describe Idrees Lanre Ajakaiye. “Lanre” as he is called by family and friends has been innovating for decades. As early as the 4th grade, Lanre led a team who would win a statewide driving safety, ad campaign competition. A man of many talents and success, he has had success across the Fortune 50, startups and non -profits while never forgetting his immigrant roots.

Today, he has established himself as a leader, brand architect and change marker throughout New England. Lanre is the first person in New England to be approved by the SEC under Regulation CF to crowdfund real estate up to $5M for his real estate development, 25 bough street. 25 bough street (25bough.com) is a mixed use, commercial development positioned at integrated uses that align to community gaps for empowerment. Beyond buying the block with a massive 15,794 sq ft, mill space, what is significant about the $8.5M project is that it points uses to persistent problems in the same community. The project has been featured most recently in the Boston Globe (December 2022), Afro Tech, Yahoo Finance, and a host of local publications.

As a father, Lanre has always been keen to various needs of local youth, community, and family. This led him to start an event which filled a gap for youth. Lanre was the mind behind mega events such as The New England Family Fun Festival drawing over as many as 6,232 + people to the City of Providence across 40,000 sq ft at the Rhode Island Convention Center. As a father of two, he developed the event to provide an educational and fun alternative for families

Today, Lanre Ajakaiye is the Chief Development Officer of the United Way of Rhode Island where he is responsible for growth and innovation for the future through people, process, and technology of one of America’s oldest and most loved, non-profits as they invest $110 million by 2025 to united community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all.

Ngozi Nnaji, MS

Ngozi started Ako Brokerage Services, LLC in 2017, after a 20-year career in the insurance industry. She started the firm recognizing a growing desire for insureds to assist clients of underrepresented demographics understand the benefits of insurance being an asset protection and wealth generation tool. Most recently, Ngozi recognized an additional need within the insurance industry. She saw many insurance employers continue to struggle with diversifying their workforce and creating inclusive cultures in an industry that has historically struggled to do so. In response, Ngozi launched Ako Insurance Consulting, a recruiting and retention firm focused on BIPOC Talent in the insurance industry. In Igbo, Ngozi’s family native language in Nigeria, Ako means wisdom. In both of her firms, Ngozi uses wisdom, as well as experience and strong industry knowledge to advise the clients that she and her team works with. Ngozi earned her Master of Science Degree in Risk Management and Insurance from Florida State University and graduated Cum Laude from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuarial Science. Ngozi is a Licensed Certified Insurance Consultant in addition to being a Licensed Insurance Producer (CT, FL, MA, ME, and NY, pending RI, NH, and GA).

Currently, Ngozi serves on the National Board of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) where she has held the position of Chair of the Agent Engagement Committee since January 2020. Under her leadership, NAAIA has doubled its number of members who are considered Agents / Producers. She created the monthly Agent Round Table Series and established the NAAIA Affinity Program, focused on increasing the number of Black Agents that have direct appointments with global and regional insurance companies. Ngozi was previously the inaugural President of the Greater Hartford Chapter increasing the Chapter’s membership to over 70 in less than 3 years making it one of the fastest growing Chapters in the organization. In 2019, Ngozi was awarded the Leadership Award by the State of Connecticut Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday Commission for her leadership and work in the insurance industry in the Greater Hartford area. Over the last two years, Ngozi has been recognized numerous times by Insurance Business America. In 2020 she received the Leading the Change and Hot 100 Awards where she was nominated by her peers in recognition for her work to help build a more diverse and equitable industry and for her overall impact. In 2021 and 2022 she awarded the Elite Woman of the Year recognition for her advocacy for women, particularly women of color, in a male-dominated field. And in 2022 she was honored with the Global 100 award for being one of the most influential persons across the global insurance industry.

In collaboration with three of her colleagues, Ngozi founded HBCU I.M.P.A.C.T.TM, a non-profit organization focused on developing the next generation of Black Insurance Professionals. Ngozi also works with Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, where she previously served on their Board of Directors. She is passionate about educating students about the benefits of insurance at a young age to help close the racial wealth gap. During the COVID pandemic, Ngozi launched three insurance industry-wide initiatives, #1000blackinterns, Black Women of the Insurance Industry and Black Men of the Insurance Industry. #1000blackinterns is a two-year initiative aimed at hiring 1000 Black interns in the insurance industry to a collective partnership with employers who wish to display their commitment proudly and publicly to diversity. Black Women of the Insurance Industry and Black Men of the Insurance Industry look to rally the Black Women and Black Men in the insurance industry to create an organic pipeline of Black male talent from entry level to executive positions within organizations as well as identify and implement strategies that directly Black ownership within the industry and the community. In 2021, Ngozi also co-founded The Trilogy, a platform that explores the intersectionality between allyship, mentorship and sponsorship, individually and corporately. To support Black Insurance Agents in the industry, Ngozi launched Black Friday in 2022. Black Friday is a dynamic, radical approach to creating more, inclusive opportunities for Black agents and expanding the possibilities regarding distribution for insurance companies.

In recognition of the work that she continues to do insurance industry to create equity, Ngozi was appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney to serve on the Task Force to the Study the Insurance Costs Borne by Businesses Located in Distressed Municipalities in Connecticut.

Ngozi is active in several community organizations and causes. Additionally, she owns a personal training and group fitness company, Ako Fitness. Ngozi lives in Middletown, Connecticut with her daughter who attends North Carolina Central University, her oldest son who attends Louisiana State University and her other two teenage sons.

Principal, Ako Brokerage Services, LLC
Founder / Managing Partner, Ako Insurance Consulting, LLC (www.akoinsuranceconsulting.com)
Founder – #1000blackinterns (www.1000blackinterns.org)
Co-Founder – HBCU I.M.P.A.C.T.TM
Co-Founder – The Trilogy
Founder – Black Men of the Insurance Industry Initiative
Founder – Black Women of the Insurance Industry Initiative
Founder – Black Friday

Tomisi Kikama

Tomisi Kikama is Financial Services Executive for one of the top # insurance Companies in the US. He has Spent 14 Years at Liberty Mutual in Insurance in Technology and Product Management roles. He currently Serves as Assistant Vice President of the Training and Knowledge Management. His experience and background include working on critical efforts across the enterprise to increase business value and identify areas that will drive market advantages for the firm. He currently partners and Leads transformative change within the training and knowledge management space in support of the company’s customers, agents, and nearly 20K employees.

Tomisi has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Master of Business Administration Degree from Northeastern University in Boston.

Tomisi serves on the Board for the Boston Congolese Gala a non-profit organization that supports orphanages in DRC. He is also sits on the Board for Appalachian State University Risk Management school and founding member of the Congolese Diaspora Impact Summit which is organization that aims to harness the potential of the Congolese diaspora in helping contribute to solutions towards improving the DR Congo.

Tomisi Formative years spent in Chicago area; he is married to Paulette & father of 2 boys

Dr. Temitope Omotayo

Dr. Temitope Omotayo is the Co-Founder of Wazobia Global Network, publisher of Wazobia Global Times Newspaper & Magazine and a writer. He attended leading institutions in Africa, Europe and America including the great University of Ibadan, Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, London School of Journalism and Swedish International Peacekeeping Institute. He is also the founder of WGT Educational Consulting which assists students in achieving qualitative education in United States and other parts of the world. He has received multiple awards and a commendation letter from President Barack Obama. He is also the founder and President of Center for African Advancement in America (CAAA) a nonprofit founded to enhance increased participation and advancement of Africans in America. He has an incurable passion for Youth development, community organizing and totally committed to service to God and humanity.

Dr. Anne Osula

Dr. Anne Osula is the owner of Kiddies Corner Creche and Preschools in Boston and Brockton, all in Massachusetts. She got a Bachelor of Education in Arts and French linguistics, from The University of Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria, Master of Arts in the French Language and African literature in French, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Nigeria. Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology. University of Phoenix, Arizona. She had other studies at Ecole de Linguistique applique in Besancon, France, and Universite de Benin in Lome, Togo.

She was head of the French department of the University preparatory secondary school in Benin city Nigeria and a lecturer in the French department and Dean of pre-languages at the former College of Education Ekiadolor – Benin. She is an educator and director certified by the Massachusetts department of early education and care. Dr. Anne Osula is founder and CEO of kiddies corner creche and preschool since 2012 and just started Kiddies transportation to ease the rigors the parents have to go through.

Oye Owolewa

Adeoye “Oye” Owolewa is a Nigerian American politician, pharmacist, and a member of the Democratic Party. In November 2020, he was elected as the shadow representative of the United States House of Representatives from the District of Columbia.

Rep. Oye stands for the people of Washington, D.C. when they need him most. Rep. Oye bridges the concerns of his constituents with the Power of Democracy in Congress. Rep. Oye lobbys for Washington, D.C. Statehood, Universal Healthcare, Immigration Reform, and Income Equality.