Today I'm claiming 2 yoruba men as one of ours - really two of ours.
The first is Rotimi Babatunde, a Yoruba man who on the 2nd of July, 2012, won the 13th Caine Prize (equivalent to the Booker Prize) for African literature. It was for a short story book he wrote -"Bombay's Republic' which retells the story of the main character "Bombay", a Nigerian soldier who fought alongside the British colonial masters during the Burma campaign of world war II. The Caine Prize is open to writers from anywhere in Africa for work published in English. Its focus is on the short story, reflecting the contemporary development of the African story-telling tradition.
Mr Babatunde won the equivalent of $16,000 and a 1 month writing residency in George town university and several speaking engagements and other media opportunities.Did you see the President of the United states at the 4th of July Naturalization ceremony at the white house? This was the setting for the 2nd man I'm claiming as one of ours this week.
25 service personnel were becoming American citizens. One of the U.S service members to naturalize and become an American citizen was a Yoruba man - Oluwatosin. K. Akinduro, seen in uniform, whom the president mentioned by name, with President Obama saying "...We salute a young man from Nigeria who came here as a child. "I left Nigeria," he says, "with the dream that we all have a destiny in life and we are all born with the resources to make a difference." We are confident he will make a difference. We congratulate Oluwatosin Akinduro."Oluwatosin was born in Lagos, Nigeria, graduated high school in Houston, Texas. He then joined the Army National Guard in search of new opportunities and a new challenge to lead by example.
Congratulations sirs!
Funke Abolade, M.D.
Social/Publicity Secretary
Congrats aplenty to both gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteI can see Oluwatosin Akinduro becoming a Four Star General in the 'Not too distant future' Looking very sharp in that military outfit. Thanks for sharing Dr Abolade. Regards.
Big congrats to our most deserving brothers. Standing out tall embracing our cultures while we support the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteThank Dr. Abolade, this is an encouragement to all our youth. There is no limit to our endeavors as long as we persevere. Congratulations to our brothers.
ReplyDeleteDr (Mrs) Abolade,
ReplyDeleteThanks for drawing our attention to the recognized accomplishments of Messrs Rotimi Babatunde and Olawatosin Akinduro.
A Yoruba proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child". YODAAI activities especially on our kids and their positive responses are great pointers for their tomorrow's successes. So shall it be. Amen
It is my prayers that more of our folks would continue to bring honors to their parents and the country (Nigeria) that we love but could not continue to serve because of persistent reports on insecurity to lives and properties of its citizens.
Ayanwale