The Voice of Africa Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State, will be honored with the 2024 Torchbearer Award in Canada.
The award ceremony is set for September 14, 2024.
According to Michael Oloyade, Chief Executive Officer of VOA Canada, and Angela Adamu, VOA Vice President for International Engagement for Africa, the award is in appreciation of Bago’s exceptional leadership and significant governance initiatives in Niger State.
Along with the award ceremony, VOA Canada adds Bago will be able to spend time in Canada fostering constructive connections between Niger State and Canadian public and private entities.
The proposed working visit includes a series of engagements tailored to enhance infrastructure support, agricultural development, food security, and governance in Niger State.
Some of the activities outlined for Bago on the sideline of the award include meetings with the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Parliamentary session, Black Caucus of Ontario Parliament, and a tour of the Ontario Food Terminal, which is the second-largest food distribution terminal in North America.
Additionally, the governor will also meet with African Diasporans Investment Group to discuss about private investment in mass housing projects in Niger State.
Bago will also hold an exclusive meeting with the Mayor of Toronto, the largest municipality in Canada, and will tour the Toronto Transportation Corporation, the second-largest transportation network in North America, with discussions on the potential donation of rail coaches and buses to benefit Niger State.
“We are glad to extend our invitation to Your Excellency as a recipient of the 2024 Torchbearer Award, tentatively scheduled for September 14, 2024. As part of the Award ceremonies, we will be willing to extend your stay into a working visit,” the statement reads.
Voice of Africa (VOA) Canada is a media, public relations, and management consulting firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
VOA promotes African content initiatives and helps facilitate beneficial collaboration between African public/private organizations and Canadian public/private organizations.
VOA Canada is the Parent company of VOA Radio Canada and the Torchbearers Award that recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations making an impact within Black Communities worldwide.