Full Text: Welcome address by Kole Shettima at MacArthur Foundation’s 30th Anniversary in Nigeria
Welcome address delivered by Kole Shettima, MacArthur Foundation Country Director, on the 30th Anniversary and End of On Nigeria Programme Celebrations in Nigeria on October 9, 2024.
MacArthur Foundation
Professor Bolanle Awe and I welcome you to these double celebrations. It is the celebration of the 30th-anniversary accomplishments of grantee partners and the bittersweet end of the current programme in Nigeria.
A special warm welcome to HE, the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, GCON, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, OON, former and current senators, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, Senior Special Assistants, distinguished traditional leaders including the Sarkin Karshi, Sarkin Garki and their spouses and cabinet members.
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My colleagues from Chicago are led by a member of the Board of Trustees, Professor Olufunmilayo Olopade. Members of her delegation include the President of the Foundation, Jarman Adalci of Garki; John Palfrey, the Vice President of Communications, Fellows, and Partnership; Kristin Mack, the Managing Director of Program, Stephanie Platz; and Chantell Johnson, the Managing Director of Learning and Evaluation. Jarman Adalci is my cheerleader, during whose tenure the Foundation doubled its investment in Nigeria.
Our grantee partners, present and past, we are here to celebrate you and the work you have done to save lives, improve human capital development, and enable the government to provide public services. Amina Salihu, my colleague, always refers to you as the first eleven.
I enthusiastically welcome our other partners, friends of the Foundation, and service providers. Your immeasurable support and kindness are appreciated.
Among those who have come to share this moment are my head boy, school prefects, and Community Secondary School Nguru classmates. I should also mention the juniors in my class, including Uba Mana.
I want to acknowledge my teachers, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim and Professor Adele Jinadu, for their support and intellectual leadership.
I have spent a quarter-century at the MacArthur Foundation. It is a rare privilege that I don’t take lightly. I thank the Foundation for giving me this opportunity to serve humanity. At the beginning of this journey were Kayode Fayemi, Bisi Adeleke-Fayemi, and Sonny Oyegbulam.
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A big thank you to my current core team colleagues in Chicago: Erin Sines, Yvonne Dakwa-Poku, Julian Williams, otherwise known as Shokolo, Kate Abraham, Grace Cheung, Urmi Sengupta, Bria Gillian, and Josh Mintz. Among Chicago colleagues who have joined us today is Angelyn Irvin, whom we named Zara this morning. This is Zara’s first visit to Africa. Welcome home, sister.
This milestone is an affirmation of the team in Abuja. In the past were Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, Godwin Odo, Dayo Olaide, Wale Ogunleye, Ere Amachree, Ana Egoh, Zainab Dutse, Ademola Adewuyi, Ezrah Oderinde and the late David Amba. I am happy that David’s wife has joined today.
The present team members are Amina Salihu, Amina Usman, Hauwa Kazeem, Esther Ifesanmi, Waheed Adeniran, Susan Egbu, Rahab Uzoije, and Abbas Bashir. Waheed joined the Foundation in 1994. We call him the living legend.
These colleagues are the engine room of our work. They deserve all the accolades and affirmations. Their energy, enthusiasm, passion, and sacrifice have made our office a home away from home.
I am because of who you are.
This welcome is incomplete without acknowledging my backbone and pillar, my family: Aisha, Zainab, and Khalifa. You endured my long absences and long hours with enthusiasm because you believe in the prophetic saying that the best among you is the one who is in service to humanity.
Let the celebration begin!
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