MOJI TAIWO- MUT CONSULTING SERVICES

Moji Taiwo, an author of – I GIVE because I’M BLESSED – I’M BLESSED because I GIVE – ‘A Chronicle of An Immigrant’s Journey and Author of – Grandma and Her Munchkins – An Everyday Adventure Children’s (picture) Book Series.

Moji is also the Creator and Host of The Immigrant Experience Show (Tieshow) on Diversity TV YouTube Channel. Moji was a founding and active member of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary (1993), the Yoruba Foundation, Calgary (2004) and founding member/Past President of Women of Vision Society of Alberta (2012 – 2021).

Moji is an avid volunteer for causes that improves the lives of youth, women, families, and my community.

Through her board membership at various higher institutions and community organizations, including the Calgary Police Services multicultural unit, she joyfully shares her professional expertise and knowledge as a successful immigrant who is a proud CANADIAN. Most importantly, I am a wife, mother, and grandmother of three beautiful boys.

Moji is a recipient of many communities’ leadership and professional awards including, but not limited to the following :

• Queen Elizabeth 11 Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) Award (2023)
• Realize Your Potential Youth Society of Canada Black Heritage Community Leadership Award (2023)
• Immigrant Champions Inclusive Leadership Awards (2023)
• Unmask Your Beauty Black Woman of Influence Award (2022)

For more information about Moji Taiwo please visit her website at www.mojitaiwo.com

NCAC Congratulates Moji on his achievements!

KOLA OLADIMEJI, CPA, CGA, MBA, FCA

A finance executive with more than 2 decades of experience in Finance and Leadership roles of private, public traded companies, Not-For-Profit organizations and Canadian Municipalities.

Kola started his professional Career with Guinness PLC in Nigeria where he served for over 2 decades and held several key leadership positions in Finance.

Congratulations to Mr. Kola Oladimeji on the award of 2023 CPA Alberta Distinguished Service Award.

CPA Alberta announced 7 recipients for the 2023 prestigious Distinguished Service Award (DSA) out of 30,000+ CPA Alberta membership.

He is a recipient of 2 international awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) an organization that represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) .

Kola loves to give back to the community and profession. He is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of professionals. He is a founding member and past Chairman of an organization that mentors over 200 professional Accountants living in Canada who are also members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN Canada District. Kola was recently selected as one of the 7 recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Award by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta.

Kola previously served on the Board of Aids Calgary Awareness Association, High River Regional Airport and currently a member of Audit & Risk Committee of the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), and Treasurer of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary.

NCAC Congratulates Kola on his achievements!

MR PETER OGANWU

Peter Oganwu has served in the NCAC Executive in various capacities, including Secretary General, Vice President, and eventually as President between 2015 and 2017. As President, he introduced the NCAC Hero’s award at Dr. Gordon Higgins Junior High School, introduced both the NCAC Stampede breakfast participation in the Calgary Stampede Parade.

Peter also initiated the Government of Canada-sponsored summer camp program for kids, including appointment of youth camp counsellors, field trips, educational activities, guest speakers and mentoring. For his community service, Peter was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her community service in 2023.

NCAC Congratulates Peter on his achievement!

MR. PATRICK ETOKUDO, M.SC, FSCMP

Patrick Etokudo (MSc, FSCMP) is a Mechanical Engineer and also holds a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management. He has held many senior- and executive-level roles, including at Sherritt International Corporation, Enbridge Inc.; Suncor Energy; Petro-Canada and Royal Dutch Shell. Presently, he is the Managing Partner at Ankan-VCM, an end-to-end supply chain management venture. .

Beyond the work he does for corporations, Patrick is active in the community. Other than his current leadership of NCAC as President (2021 – 2023), he is a Board Director, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS); Councilor of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA); and also serves as a member of the Awards Committee of Supply Chain Canada.

He has also served as a Director on the board of Supply Chain Canada, Alberta Institute; and member of the program committees of both Bow Valley College and SAIT. He continues to serve as a formal mentor through the Edmonton Regional Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC).

In 2017, Patrick was honoured as the Supply Chain Executive of the Year in Alberta, and in 2018 he was awarded Fellow of Supply Chain Canada (FSCMP). Last year, he was a recipient of the inaugural 2022 Alberta Newcomers Recognition Award in the career and academic discipline. Recently, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contributions to the community, the province and Canada.

NCAC Congratulates Patrick on his accomplishments!

DR. CHIKA B. ONWUEKWE, K.C

Dr. Chika B. Onwuekwe, K.C. is the Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Trican, the premier Canadian oil and gas services company. He sits on the Boards of ENMAX Corporation; the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB); and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Alberta Chapter. Dr. Onwuekwe is a Canadian Licensed Trademark Agent, and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He volunteers with the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA), the ACC and continues to champion various initiatives for the improvement of Black Canadians and Black communities in Canada. He is a Trustee of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary (NCAC), Chair of both the NCAC Historian Committee, and the By-Law Committee.

Dr. Onwuekwe is the Co-chair of BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) Mentorship and Sponsorship Committee (https://blacknorth.ca/), and the Chair of BNI Alberta Chapter. He is also the Founder and President of Kadibia Leadership Foundation, a Canadian not-for-profit focused on training the next generation of leaders. He is an avid reader, golfer, and tennis player.

NCAC Congratulates Dr. Onwuekwe K.C on his achievements!

PROF. FAITH-MICHAEL UZOKA

Faith-Michael Uzoka (BSc, MS, MBA, PhD) is a professor of computing at Mount Royal University, Calgary. He has about 30 years university teaching and research experience in four countries. Michael is an accomplished scholar with over 100 academic publications that have made international impacts in various aspects of human endeavor, especially in medical decision support systems. He has worked with research collaborators to develop award winning innovations; e.g., automatic pill dispenser, smart medical assistant, and a system for the early differential diagnosis of tropical confusable diseases. He served as a Canadian Commonwealth Scholar, Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, and Research Development Officer (MRU). He is President and co-founder of Cambrooks College, Calgary. He also sits on the Alberta Power and Natural Gas Consumer’s Panel.

At MRU, he has contributed to the development of a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace for both employees and students. He is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and places high premium on the value of EDI in governance and community relations. He Chairs the EDI Committee of the Faculty of Science and Technology, and sits on the President’s Advisory Committee on EDI at MRU. His contributions include supporting students and historically marginalized individuals, and advocating for the hiring of equity deserving groups. In his role, he has also emphasized the importance of inclusivity in decision-making structures and promoted data-driven actions and decisions.

He is a recipient of the 2022 Alberta Newcomers Award, and also, the Queen’s Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

NCAC Congratulates Prof. Uzoka on his achievements!

DORATHY THOMPSON

Dorathy Thompson holds a BSC (honors) Geology degree from the University of Calabar, a certificate in Information Systems Management, and a diploma in Petroleum Geological Application from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary. In addition, Dorathy holds a degree in B.Ed. Education from the University of Calgary, Alberta – majored in (Mathematics) and a certificate in Special Education, Calgary. Dorathy is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).

In 2020, Dorathy joined Healing Hands Health and Education Society (H3ES), an organization which is affiliated to Healing Hands Incorporated in Charlotte, North Carolina, a non-profit, and faith-based organization. Dorathy and her colleague voluntarily started to deliver education to the under-served populations around the world with particular focus on Africa. She is involved in mentoring adult curriculum development and provision of educational materials and infrastructure to the less privileged people, and housing communities in distress.

On June 3, 2022, Dorathy was recognized by Knowledgehook (GIC) alongside 66 teachers in Canada as a top Impact Influencer because of her outstanding dedication to integrating research-based techniques in the classroom. In her free time, Dorathy loves public speaking, digital games, cooking, traveling, mentoring and research are at the forefront

NCAC congratulates Dorathy on her achievements!

CYNTHIA OKAFOR

Cynthia Okafor is a nationally recognized community leader living and working in the unceded territory of Treaty 7 (Calgary, Alberta).

Cynthia won the Calgary Black Achievement award in the community service and leadership group.

Cynthia holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in social policy and community development and brings over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector. She has practiced in a variety of settings such as the immigrant-serving and funding sectors, health-care, community development, and social planning.

Currently, Cynthia works with the municipal government as an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Consultant and supports both leaders and employees with advancing their priorities related to equity and inclusion. As part of her work in the broader community, she provides training, education and awareness and guides organizations in working through a change-management and/or cultural change process using an equity or anti-racism lens.

NCAC congratulates Cynthia on her achievements.

CHARLES OSUJI

Charles Osuji is a multi-award-winning lawyer and the CEO of Calgary’s Osuji & Smith law firm. He was chosen as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Calgary Magazine and one of the top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyers Magazine.

From law school in Nigeria to law firm CEO in Calgary, Charles’ rise to the top has been swift—only seven short years—earning him a LEXPERT Rising Star recognition for Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40. With over 45 local and national recognitions and awards in the last few years, he is now leading one of the fastest growing mid-sized law firms in Canada.

Outside of his practice, Charles spends his time mentoring other young professionals, running a free legal clinic that primarily serves Calgary’s newcomer population, and volunteering with his church. He also enjoys being with family and friends, playing piano, playing and watching soccer and other sports, and reading.

NCAC congratulates Charles on his achievements.

UGO UKPABI, K.C.

Ugo was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2008, and worked in the commercial litigation group of a Tier 1 National law firm, Gowlings (now Gowlings WLG). He was also the Compliance Counsel of Alberta’s largest utility company, ENMAX. Ugo volunteers extensively, and most recently, completed a Board membership role in an Alberta charity, the Fig Tree Foundation. Ugo is the Co-convenor, Calgary Association of Nigerian Lawyers. As well, Ugo is a member of the Law Society of Alberta’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) and the Provincial Court Nominating Committee (PCNC). Ugo is an Adjunct Professor of Professional Ethics at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Faculty of Law. Ugo is currently, Principal at YYC Lawyers- a corporate law and litigation boutique based in Calgary. Ugo received his King’s Counsel (K.C.) designation in April, 2022.

NCAC congratulates Ugo on his achievements.

SEUN OGUNSOLA

Seun Ogunsola is a believer in people and the power of the collective community. Seun believes everyone wins when the community prospers. Seun served as the PRO and President of the Yoruba Foundation Calgary (YFC), served as the Vice President and President of The Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary (NCAC), served as the President of the African Canadian Golfers Club (ACGC). On the professional front, Seun is a senior banker in Canada who is well recognized and respected in Alberta. He spends a lot of his personal time mentoring many new immigrants on career options and financial matters.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, Seun continues to advice many business owners on how to create a strong balance sheet. Seun continues to give to the community as a member of four high profile boards.

In2023, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his community service.

NCAC congratulates Seun on his achievements.

KENE ILONCHONWU, K.C.

Kene is currently an in-house counsel at Parkland Corporation where he focuses on strategic business initiatives and commercial agreements relating to the safe transportation and marketing of hydrocarbon commodities. Kene is also a founding member of Parkland’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and Chair of the Parkland Black Action Committee.

Kene was recognized by his colleagues in 2020, when he was elected as the first Black Bencher of the Law Society’s 113-year history. Recently, Kene was recognized by Canadian Lawyer magazine as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada for 2021 and won the 2021 Calgary Black Achievement Awards’ Excellence in Law category.

He has been appointed to the City of Airdrie Subdivision andDevelopment Appeal Board and sits on the Boards of Pro Bono Law Alberta, Calgary Black Chambers, Global Lawyers of Canada, and Our Saviour Anglican Church, Calgary. Kene received his King’s Counsel (K.C.) designation in April, 2022.

NCAC Congratulates Kene on his achievements.

CHI ILIYA-NDULE

Chi Iliya-Ndule, is a lawyer with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Chi advises clients on general corporate and commercial matters, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, recapitalizations, project development and legal due diligence. Prior to joining Blakes, she practised in the Calgary office of an international law firm. Outside the practice of law, Chi serves on the boards of the Alberta University of Arts, the Calgary Black Chambers, a not-for-profit organization focused on providing mentorship and scholarships to foster the advancement of Black students, and Antyx Community Arts, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging youth through the arts.

She also volunteers as a Civil Claims Duty Counsel and QB Amicus with Pro Bono Law Alberta, and mentors internationally trained lawyers through the Calgary Regional Immigrant Employment Council.

NCAC congratulates Chi on her achievements

WUNMI IDOWU

Wunmi Idowu is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, instructor, performer, and producer and the Founder and Director of Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc.

Wunmi’s accolades in the art industry span winning the people’s choice Performing Arts in the category of Dancer at the Obsidian Award in 2016. The 24th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Award and the Canada Vendors Entrepreneur Award in 2020, both of which were for the category of Arts and Culture. She also won an Afro-Canadian (AC) Community Leader of the year Award in 2020.

Her recent achievements include nominations for the 2021 Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award in addition to being awarded Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 in 2021.

By pushing for increased visibility of ethnically and culturally diverse artists in Alberta, Wunmi hopes that perceptions will shift around who participates in the arts.

NCAC congratulates Wunmi on her achievements.

DR AKOLISA UFODIKE

Dr. Akolisa Ufodike is an assistant professor in the School of Administrative Studies where he teaches auditing. He is also appointed to the graduate program in public policy, administration and law and teaches public sector finance at the graduate level. His research interests include accountability, actor networks, common pool resources, public sector finance and public-private partnerships. He is an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Business Ethics, Accounting Perspectives, Chinese Management Journal and Sustainability journal.

Dr. Ufodike is a Canadian FCPA, a US CPA, a UK FCCA and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He’s also a Certified Director ICD.D by the Institute of Corporate Directors. Dr. Ufodike sits on the Provincial Audit Committee for Alberta, the board of the Canada Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and the Senate of the University of Calgary.

NCAC congratulates Dr.Ufodike on his achievements