CAT | Foundation Press Release
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AFRICA HERITAGE CENTER AT SPSU RECEIVES MAYORAL VISIT FROM (DAKAR SENEGAL )
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AFRICA HERITAGE CENTER AT SPSU RECEIVES MAYORAL VISIT FROM (DAKAR SENEGAL ) :
(Another landmark and boost to ongoing, mutual and beneficial relationship between USA and Africa)
By Michael J. Harris
CEO Chief Adetunji with President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal
Since its inception, Southern Polytechnic State University and African Heritage Foundation (AHF) collaboration has led numerous landmark events, as a means of creating a steady bridge between several African nations and Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). One notable event held last February was the Celebrate Africa: Journey Through the Ages Exhibition. The SPSU center played host to many noteworthy African dignitaries, including the under-secretary general, special advisor to Africa. Beyond showcasing the talents of many African inspired artworks, the event also played as a catalyst for many interested African nation representatives to make their presence known in the U.S.
Opportunities are out there, one just needs to see them! Gilbert Parker once said, “Love knows no distance; it has no continent; its eyes are for the stars.” Another way of looking at it is, the distance between opportunities isn’t a hindrance, and it’s merely just a number. One could say that the AHF’s president Chief Ambassador, Tunde Adetunji, certainly holds to these philosophy and sentiments.
CEO Chief Tunde Adetunji with His Excellency Jean Ping
Dakar, Senegal has now become the nearest and closet African nation to Marietta, Georgia in terms of Technology transfer , brain gain , human resources and capacity building for sustainable development of emerging market of Africa nations even though is located 4,361 miles away.
Ambassador Tunde’s ambition and passion to strengthen ties between the African nations and SPSU is a mission accomplished which should be highly commended.
There are many aspects to his vision, to leave an indelible relationship amongst the Marietta, Georgia area and the many regions throughout the continent of Africa. One such example came last weekend, as the AHF welcomed fifteen Mayors and top government officials ,community leaders and decision makers representing various communities and local governments in Senegal to tour and learn more about the Africa Heritage Center instituted by the UN undersecretary general last February at SPSU campus.
Chief Tunde Adetunji in a conversation with H. E Berewa(former Vice-President of Sierra Leone)
Their main interest for the visit include: 1) establishing technological project ventures between the U.S. and Senegal, 2) fostering a stronger student exchange program, 3) creating attention/tourism between our two countries 4) a potential for a considerable more developing projects in the works to bridge the gap and build the bridge between the state of Georgia and Senegal.
Beyond the items listed above the discussions at last weekend’s fact-finding-tour brought the focus to bringing more French speaking Dakar students to SPSU’s campus. Bringing these students abroad is an avenue to experience new opportunities and have an impact in the U.S.A relationship with the international communities. These students also have an opportunity to take full advantage of many athletic programs that SPSU has to offer, mutually beneficial, as SPSU has a highly ranked soccer program and is always looking for more international talent. In many cases, free scholarships are available as great incentive.
Chief Tunde and Senegalese Mayors during the meeting at SPSU
Invitation has also been extended to AHC at SPSU by four Chinese major universities whose main focus are in Agriculture, Mining & Technology, art & Culture, and university of Science & technology can also benefit from what AHF and SPSU has to offer. SPSU is a technology based university and has a thriving African heritage student body and technical input is needed for many ongoing projects in the African regions and beyond.
Senegalese Mayors and Top Government official visit to AHC at SPSU
Building and maintaining lines of communication between the two areas helps both involved. Opportunities are abound for Senegal and several other African countries in the U.S A. and if AHF/SPSU gets the chance to help awareness and growth in African community both in Atlanta and the African continents can have unforeseen advancements, bright future and progress.
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AFRICA DAY CELEBRATION 2012
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Come Join The Celebration …”AFRICA MATTERS”
Be Apart Of History … “AFRICA IS THE FUTURE”
SAVE THE DATE
AFRICA MATTERS, AFRICA IS THE FUTURE .Greetings,
MONDAY, 16 APRIL 2012 18:51
WRITTEN BY ADMINISTRATOR
Chief Tunde greets African Union Chairman Dr. Jean Ping and United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
Chief Tunde Adetunji is all set once again to present the 2012 Africa Day Celebration in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This will be the sixth annual Africa Day celebration sponsored by the Africa Heritage Foundation under the leadership of Chief Tunde, which he is so respectfully called by his associates and friends. The annual Africa Day Celebration will take place on May 25-26. It is the grassroots festive event to inform, acknowledge and promote worldwide potential business opportunities, ideas and values of Africa as a continent of possibilities to the global community.
Africa Day in Atlanta is also about embracing and celebrating the culture and heritage of Africa and it serves to facilitate networking opportunities. It is an official proclamation and resolution that “Africa Matters and Africa is the Future”. This has been the mantra of Chief Tunde that he has been so tirelessly proclaiming and working to promote for almost twenty years now.
Chief Tunde believes that Atlanta will be the United States’ Gateway to Africa in terms of business, educational opportunities and also for the fostering of social and cultural relationships. “The potential is here in Atlanta and it is already beginning to happen”, says Chief Tunde. Last year during Africa day in Atlanta, the city council of Atlanta offered a proclamation signed by all of its members praising the efforts of the foundation and acknowledging future opportunities in Africa.
Atlanta’s Africa Day Celebration has been endorsed by the African Union (AU) Commission’s Chairperson the Honorable Dr. Jean Ping. Just before Africa Day 2011, he visited Atlanta at an invitation arranged and coordinated by Chief Tunde. Accompanied by a high level delegation, including his chief of staff, the AU ambassador to the US and the director of the AU’s Diaspora programme. Dr. Ping’s historical, official visit represented an important milestone in the history of the AU’s Diaspora Initiative and its relations with the State of Georgia and the city of Atlanta.
Chief Tunde and Governor Nathan Deal (ct) with other Georgia officials
While in Atlanta Dr. Ping was a guest on Chief Tunde’s television show Africa Heritage Diaspora TV, where he spoke about the important role that the African Union has given to the Diaspora as a part of the renaissance project aligning Africa with the global Diaspora. Dr. Ping saw the future as “one in which Africa stands tall among its peers in the international community”. Dr. Ping then pinned a gold pendant on Chief Tunde declaring him an African Cultural Ambassador. Dr. Ping congratulated Chief Tunde for his untiring commitment to promoting strong and positive ties between the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, the African Union and the African continent.
Through the Africa Heritage Foundation and Africa Day in Atlanta, Chief Tunde’s aim is to create an environment where African nations’ interests and Georgia’s interests can be discussed among power brokers and political leaders. He wants the city of Atlanta to be the platform to explore successful ways to better connect businesses and people between African nations and the United States of America. Chief Tunde believes that as Atlanta becomes the gateway to Africa, it is also the place to facilitate further discussions about the Diaspora becoming the sixth region of Africa.
During Black History Month, Chief Tunde, in conjunction with Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) presented “Celebrate Africa: Journey through the Ages”. This was a celebration of African heritage that included visual exhibitions, lectures, electronic presentations and a reception. This exhibition which made its debut during the 1996 Olympics, is traveling to various institutions in the US, Brazil and Canada detailing the splendor and significance of African culture through art exhibits, archeology and symposiums. Chief Tunde Adetunji believes that the arts consistently express and communicate the essence of African culture and brilliance.
In 2010, SPCU signed a formal agreement with the Africa Heritage Foundation (AHF) to establish the mission of building bridges between the 55 nations of the Africa and the United States. A goal of this agreement includes the creation of a network of universities on both continents. With more than 26 African nations represented in the SPSU’s student body, it is an ideal place for AHF to have SPCU as the base for such a project. Chief Tunde is continuously traveling to universities around the Americas with his message of “Africa Matters”, where he lectures and exhibits aspects of African culture and heritage during his visits. “Having a foundation at SPSU has helped to highlight SPSU as a very significant university in the US and also to the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN)”, says Chief Tunde, who has favorable relationships with officials from these organizations.
Primary objectives of Africa Day in Atlanta include 1) developing international partnerships, 2) supporting the emergence of private sectors in Africa and USA, 3) promoting direct foreign investment in Africa, and 4) leveraging the imbalances in Africa’s growing economy. Benefits of the celebration are likely to include investments to help eradicate poverty. Investment opportunities can contribute to changing the political and economic image of Africa, and allow access to the billions of dollars the U.S. Government has committed to trade capacity building activities; networking and subcontracting opportunities.
Chief Tunde says that Africa is a continent of many possibilities. “In fact, it is the hub of the world economic propensity and posterity, but somehow still remains the missing link in the global economy”. He goes on to say that in the last ten years, Africa has made significant progress in social and economic development, including a strong average growth rate in many countries and an improved political and social environment. “Even though there are still challenges, African nations are determined to change things for the better.
Chief Tunde celebrates Africa Day in Atlanta 2011.
“Many African governments and societies, in collaboration with the international community are pressing towards achieving the development targets set in the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including advances in health, literacy, equality and nutrition”, explains Chief Tunde.
He goes on to say that there is a renewed commitment by the African governments to work together to transform the continent for the better. “Their joint efforts are coordinated and harmonized through the African Union (AU). We at the Africa Heritage Foundation support these efforts”, says Chief Tunde. “That’s why we have Africa Day in Atlanta. We are determined to show the world that Africa Matters and Africa is the Future” ! For more information, visit www.AfricaHeritageFoundation.org
About Chief Tunde Adetunji
Chief Tunde Adetunji is a visionary, an idealist, a realist, and a prince, born to a royal family in Nigeria. Chief Adetunji is the African Cultural Ambassador, CEO, and founder of the Africa Heritage Foundation, Africa World Museum & Center, Africa Day in Atlanta and the Africa Heritage Diaspora TV. An expert on African Affairs, he is a renown presenter, a master communicator, and a motivational speaker. He was one of African Business Journal’s 100 Most Influential Multicultural Business Leaders in 2010. He travels to universities all over the United States and abroad promoting the theme “Africa Matters and Africa is the Future” and “Bridging the Gap and Building the Bridge between Africa and the Diaspora”. Chief Tunde’s versatility and expertise as an art historian, curator, anthropologist, journalist and lecturer has made him a foremost dignitary on Africa and the African Diaspora.
About Africa Heritage Foundation
Founded by Chief Tunde Adetunji in 1996, the Africa Heritage Foundation’s (AHF) mission includes creating an environment where the nations in Africa and the State of Georgia can develop opportunities and new ventures in business, technology, resources, education and culture to the mutual benefit of each other. AHF seeks to provide a platform for discussion amongst business, industry and civic leaders to learn about and identify mutual business, educational and cultural opportunities that can be developed into successful ventures and relationships for the mutual benefit of Georgia, Atlanta and the entire African Nation. AHF has a long range goal of this model being an example for the entire United States’ relationship with Africa.
With the theme “Africa Matters, Africa is the Future,” other goals of AHF include Atlanta being a Gateway to Africa and the key place to further discussions of the worldwide Diaspora as the sixth region of the African continent. A goal AHF has set is for the African Village capital project to be located in Atlanta which would include physical space for knowledge acquisition, a high-powered think tank and a virtual tour of the unique cultures of the regions of Africa. The slogan of AHF is “Bridging the Gap, Building the Bridge.”
Top Photo: Chief Tunde greets African Union Chairman Dr. Jean Ping and United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Center photo: Chief Tunde and Governor Nathan Deal (ct) with other Georgia officials. Bottom photo: Chief Tunde celebrates Africa Day in Atlanta 2011.
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Atlanta and Georgia Look to Strengthen Ties with Africa
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Atlanta City Council recognized on June 4 the importance of building business relationships between Africa and Atlanta during a ceremony on the steps of the Georgia Capitol that drew more than 40 local officials and supporters.
As part of the fifth annual Africa Day celebration, sponsored by the Africa Heritage Foundation, the council offered a proclamation signed by all its members praising the efforts of the foundation and acknowledging future opportunities on the continent.
Under the leadership of chairman and CEO, Tunde Adetunji, the foundation organizes the celebration every year to inform people on business opportunities in Africa.
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AMBASSADORE SUMBANA GOODWILL MESSAGE
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Taste of Africa
