Annapolis, Maryland
March 12, 2014
By Frederick Nnoma-Addison – AMIP News
Chair, Outreach Committee – Governor’s Commission on African Affairs
With contributions from Olaolu S. Adewole – Outreach Committee Member
The Governor’s Commission on African Affairs tonight hosted its Inaugural Legislative Night at the House of Delegates Building in the state Capital. At least two hundred dignitaries from a wide cross section of the political, business and African immigrant communities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Virginia attended the high profile event. The commission organized this event to provide an opportunity for African immigrants and nationals to interact with elected and appointed officials, discuss legislation impacting their community and celebrate the dynamic, growing African community in the state of Maryland.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Martin O’Malley who is on international travel, Secretary of State Mr. John P. McDonough reaffirmed the importance of the commission in the state’s goal to serve all ethnic demographics. He also highlighted some notable achievements such as the Sister – State Program, and the MOU’s signed with Ondo and Cross River States (Nigeria), and Bong and Maryland Counties (Liberia).
Other speakers included delegates Barbara Robinson (Appropriations Committee), Eric Luedtke (Ways & Means Committee), Mary-Dulany James (Appropriations Committee), James Malone (Environmental Matters-Vice Chair), Susan C. Lee (Judiciary Committee), Aisha N. Braveboy (Economic Committee), and Jolene Ivey (Ways and Means Committee) who is also a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. They spoke on several topics ranging from diversity, equitable distribution of state resources, elections, voting, discrimination, and historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s).
Officials from the Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Minority Business Enterprise also took turns to address the attendees on issues specific to their department’s goals. [Link to event pictures at bottom of page]
About the African Affairs Commission
On May 14, 2009, Governor O’Malley signed executive Order 01.01.2009.07, establishing the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs within the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. http://www.governor.maryland.gov/executiveorders/01.01.2009.07.pdf
The Governor appointed a 21-member commission to reflect the growth and diversity of the African community. The Commission has established an ambitious work plan to meet the charge of the Executive Order. Over the course of the next four years the Commission will work closely with the Governor’s Office, state and local governments, and other stake holders within the diverse African communities to ensure greater access and inclusion for Africans and all Marylanders. The Commission has five main operating committees. They are .1. Education & Culture .2. Business & Community Empowerment .3. Legislative & Advisory .4. Health & Quality of Life, and .5. Outreach.
List of Current Commissioners
• Valentina I. Ukwuoma (Nigeria) – Chair
• Jewru Bandeh (Gambia) – (Vice Chair)
• Frederick Nnoma-Addison (Ghana) – Member
• Nana Theo Ngongang (Cameroon) – Member
• Mamadou Ibra Sy, Ph.D (Mauritania) – Member
• Elias Woldu (Ethiopia) – Member
• Jean Bailey, Ph.D. (United States) – Member
• Olaolu S. Adewole (Nigeria) – Member
• Sarian S. Bouma (Sierra Leone) – Member
• Kate Atabong Njeuma (Cameroon) – Member
• Alfred M. Nkere (Democratic Rep. of Congo) – Member
• Pastor Bola Idowu, Dr.PH (Nigeria) – Member
• Leticia Enos (Ghana) – Member
• Mohamed Lamrana Bah (Sierra Leone) – Member
• Anu A. Esuola, DDS (Nigeria) – Member
• Suna Genevieve Nallo (Sierra Leone) -Member
• Joshua Muli Nzueni (Kenya) – Member
Event Pictures
http://www.facebook.com/MDAfrican
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