image awards
2008 ANOGUSA Image Awards Recipients
Chief Alani Ogunlade
Biography
Dr. Mohammed Ladan
Biography
Profiles of award Recipients
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CHARLES CHIBUIKE ONYIRIMBA, was born in Umudike Umueze II, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Before "Coming to America" in 1981, Onyirimba founded and served as the first President of Umueze II Academic Union and Youths Against Corruption from 1979 to 1981.
He received his Bachelors degree in Political Science and Journalism from the Oklahoma State University State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma in December 1984. He received his graduate and Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in 1987.
In 1993, Atty. Onyirimba was overwhelmingly elected President of the Igbo Union, Atlanta, USA. In this capacity, Atty. Onyirimba united all thirty two organizations of Igbo origin in Atlanta. In his second year as President of Igbo Union, Atty. Onyirimba launched the first phase of 1.5 million dollar Igbo Culture Centre in Atlanta. In 1994, Atty. Onyirimba and other Igbo leaders in American founded the World Igbo congress headquartered in Houston, Texas. The World Igbo Congress is the main political umbrella of all Igbo organizations in America and rest of the World. Atty. Onyirimba served as the first Chairman, Membership Recruitment and Mobilization Committee of World Igbo Congress.
Since 1985, he has owned and operated State Farm insurance Agency in College Park. Georgia. Alani is very involved in his community especially in the schools and youth programs.
Alani had many sweet memories of his village, such as waving to Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom, who was passing through the village during Her cross country train tour of Nigeria before the country’s independence in 1960; religious and cultural festivals and moonlight story telling series. The most profound is his inclusion in the drumming and masquerade society of the village at an early age.
On moving to Atlanta in 1976, Alani co-founded the African Dance Ensemble with late Dr. King Farouk Brimah. The group has been transformed into a major cultural group in United States under the name Heritage Drummers and Dancers.
Alani and his wife Vickie are blessed with a son, Olatoye, and daughter, Omobola. They are members of Cascade United Methodist Church and reside in Sandtown Community of South Fulton in Atlanta Georgia.
Alani Ogunlade is very involved in community activities in United States as well as Nigeria. He is the founder and President of KAVA (Keep A Village Alive), www.kava-africa.org, a non-profit organization committed to improving quality lives in African Villages. In 2004, KAVA built a modern eight classrooms elementary school in Oshoba Village. He is a member of the Board of African Children Fund, Board member of the Arts Exchange in Atlanta, Business Partner with Clayton County Schools.
- Birthday: Jan 30
- Birthplace: Nigeria
- State of Origin: Ogun
- Education: Graduated, B.sc in Accounting & MBA in Risk Management & Insurance
Contributions/Service to the Nigerian Community in Diaspora:
- Promotion of African Culture in US
- Founded African Cultural Dance Company in 1977 for this purpose
- Has performed for numerous organizations, dignitaries including the former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria for free
- Currently, building a cultural and learning center in his village of Oshoba
- Center will focus on promoting African Culture locally as well as on international level
- Has contributed immensely towards supporting fundraising effort events in local nonprofit organizations in Atlanta (eg Eko Club Atlanta $1500)
Dr. Mohammed Ladan is a graduate of Clark College, Atlanta (1981) and the Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University (1983 and 1987). Upon completing his educational pursuits he earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is currently serving as the registered/ chief Pharmacist at the CVS Pharmacy.
How did his/her contributions and/or accomplishments enhanced the image of the Nigerian Community in Diaspora?
Dr. Ladan played a major role as Zumunta’s past National President and helped to foster efforts to identify and address problems in education and health care by serving in an advisory role to countless Nigerians in the United States and abroad.
His professional work coupled with his tenure as Zumunta's President helped to convince all Nigerians that effective patient care methods should be shared broadly across Nigeria and implemented as appropriate in the various health care systems. Dr. Ladan is passionate about efforts to reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases that plague Nigerians here and abroad. As past President, he was and continues to foster and improve the quality of health care for all Nigerians
In addition to his intellectual contributions to the field of pharmacy health care quality, Dr. Ladan also serves as the cultural officer for ANOG, an advisor of the Nigerian Youth Alliance, a co-host of Voice of America Program (Lafiya Uwanjiki), a member of KAVA (School Development Project in Nigeria), a member of American Pharmaceutical Association, USA, a member of the National Pharmaceutical Association, USA, and a member of the Nicore Investment Group for Professional Nigerians, USA.
Dr. Ladan is active in many community activities which include serving as a judge at the Columbia Middle School science fair projects competition. Dr. Ladan’s accomplishments, personal and professional, are and will be known in the future. Dr. Ladan’s limitless energies, passions, and commitment to his beliefs creates new pathways to build and rebuild.
More about Dr. Ladan...
Mohammed Ladan was born in Suleja, Nigeria. He attended Keffi boarding school and was an avid soccer and basketball player winning numerous medals for his athletic achievements. He attended Clark College, Atlanta, 1978-1981 and received a B.S. in chemistry. In 1983, he received a B.S. in pharmacy and then a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1987 both from the Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University.
Mohammed has several hobbies; some of which include ham radio, tennis, soccer, and golf. He is the immediate past National President of Zumunta, a northern Nigerian association. For his dedication to the organization, Mohammed was recognized for his superb leadership skills. On an international note, Mohammed is the co-host to the Voice of America Hausa radio service for health matters to the sub-Sahara Africa community.
Mohammed has been recognized by several organizations:
- Head Start Community Service Award, 1990
- Ham Radio Award, 1994
- SNPA - Pharmacist of the Year Award, 1996
- Nigerian Consulate Leadership Award, 2001
- Nigerian Youth Association Advisory Council Member, 2002-2006
- Mohammed and his wife, Annette, live in Stone Mountain, Georgia and are the Godparents of several children