In this piece, Ajayi Oluwapelumi unveils the top 10 Nigerians in Ghana, who have contributed to the economic development of Ghana and diplomatic relationship of the two countries.

There is no doubt about the fact that bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Ghana has been in existence for centuries. Many often describe Nigeria and Ghana as conjoined twins, whose economic, and political sustenance is intertwined.

Cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana started from the days when men from the two territories fought together gallantly in the erstwhile West African Frontier Force (WAFF) of the British Empire. The cooperation improved with the trade of locally made goods such as kola nuts, tie and dye cloths among others .

Over the years, many things have evolved that bind the two countries together. There has been an influx of Nigerian youths coming to study in Ghana, unlike before. Information has it that there are at least three daily flights from Lagos to Accra, while Arik Airline also flies about five times from Abuja to Accra and vice-versa, weekly.

The level of trade and cooperation between the two countries has seen to the Nigerian authorities giving clearance to more Ghanaian airlines to start commercial flights to Lagos and Abuja. While, according to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), of the 254 projects registered by the Centre in 2012, Nigeria had 42 projects with a value of US$198.07million, which makes Nigeria to be among the top ten investor countries in Ghana as of the second half of 2013.

The following are the top influential Nigerians in Ghana:

Ambassador Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan

Ambassador Onafowokan is the current Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana. After presenting his letter of credence to President Dramani Mahama on September 13, 2012, he has been working tirelessly to ensure peaceful co-existence between Nigerians and Ghanaians, as well as encouraging Nigerian investors to come to Ghana and Ghanaian investors to maximise their profits by taking advantage of Nigerian population, at the same time encouraging foreign investor friendly policies.

One of Ambassador Onafowokan’s efforts to ensure peaceful co-existence between the two nations was his intervention in the clash between some Niger Delta ex-militants going through training in Ghana and residents of Accra in part of Achimota last year, even when it was risky to his life.

He has succeeded in making sure Nigerians in Ghana are more responsible. He has as well helped in putting structures in place for the All Nigeria Community; a community that serves as the umbrella body of All Nigerians in Ghana, to project the good image of Nigerians in Ghana and as well empower them to be buoyant enough to tackle challenges Nigerians face, while the High Commission would focus on more diplomatic issues.

In terms of investment, the number of Nigerian corporate organisations that have established in Ghana since he assumed duty as the Nigerian ambassador to Ghana has increased. It was under his administration that the First Made in Ghana Solo Exhibition, which took place in Nigeria, was organised.

Joshua Bola Olalere

Bola Olalere is the Chief Executive of Delight Communications and the convener of Miss Nigeria, Ghana beauty pageant. The first of its kind beauty pageant which was aimed at showcasing the beautiful culture and tradition of Nigeria to Ghanaians and rebranding Nigeria through beauty was officially launched at the Nigerian High Commission on August 12, 2012. The pageant, which was contested for by Nigerian ladies, legally resident in Ghana, was won by Amaka Okosieme, who as of the time, was a 200-level student of the Winsconsin University College, Accra. While her pet project, which was focused on breast cancer awareness benefited people in Akosombo, Eastern region part of Ghana.

Ayobamidele Abayomi Momodu

Dele Momodu is ambassador plenipotentiary. He’s a Nigerian journalist/publisher, actor, motivational speaker and businessman, who has chosen to make Ghana his second home. He is the Chief Executive Officer and publisher of Ovation International, with office in West African countries, including Ghana.

Bob Dee, as he is fondly called by friends operates a magazine that has given publicity to Ghanaians and other people from all over the world, mainly in Africa. He owns a restaurant in Ghana known as the House of Ovation, where Nigerian and Ghanaian dishes are served to their teeming customers.

Aside from being a household name, he has also facilitated the connection between Ghanaian artistes and their Nigerian counterparts, for music video shoots.

Bashorun’s presence at Ghana, Nigeria collaborated events is always a symbol of unification of the two countries. To him, Nigeria and Ghana are one and he has supported that cause over the years.

Bashorun Dele Momodu has received numerous awards and has been given recognition for his work in the business world, the music industry and the fashion industry in which he plays major roles in both countries.

Michael Opeyemi Ige

Opeyemi is another inspiring young Nigerian and youth activist. He is the founding president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Ghana; an association which has succeeded in bringing majority of Nigerian students under one umbrella, as well as stand in the gap for them in times of trouble or victimisation. Ige, during his tenure laid a great precedence by ensuring that smooth relationship existed between Nigerian students and National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).

His passion for integration between Nigerian and Ghanaian youths inspires him to always mobilise Nigerian youths to partake in Ghanaian youth programmes such as NUGS Congress, Ghana World Bank Youth Forum, Model AU Summit Ghana, African Youth Economic Forum Ghana, where he was also heading the trade & investment committee.

His influence also cuts across Nigeria and Ghana. He’s the United Nations Peace Ambassador, a member of Thabo Mbeki 40 emerging African leaders during the former President’s Africa Renaissance Foundation.

Senator Muhammed Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro

Obanikoro is the 12th Nigeria High Commissioner to be designated to the Republic of Ghana. He resumed work in Ghana in May 2008 ending March 2012.

Nineteen months after he’s gone, Ambassador Obanikoro’s name still remains on the lips of so many people as a result of his indelible mark.

During Senator Obanikoro’s tenure, there was an influx of Nigerian companies dealing in oil and gas such as AP Oil & Gas, Africa Oilfield; banks such as Access Bank and HFC bank; telecommunication companies such as Globacom, Silverbird, insurance companies among others.

Senator Obanikoro facilitated the Nigerian government support for the 2008 general election in Ghana through the donation of six Toyota Hilux vans to the Ghana Electoral Commission. His administration pushed for the improvement of trade between Nigeria and Ghana through facilitating the preparation of bilateral trade agreement between Ghana and Nigeria. He worked tirelessly with the Ghanaian government for an exchange programme to swap prisoners with Nigeria.

Mrs Catherine Emmanuel

She is one of Ghana’s leading experts on relationship, marriage and personal development. The past 11 years through the establishment of her non governmental organisation: Family Renaissance International, a faith-based organisation which started as ‘Women in the Gap International’, has accomplished several projects in Ghana, such as ‘back to school project’ that distributes school bags and stationery to the less privileged. Annually, her organisation gives out materials and cash assistance to various needy communities under the theme ‘Hands and Heart of Love.’ Focal areas for this project are education and support towards general welfare of children.

Her foundation has so far constructed a three classroom block with a 90 pupil capacity in a remote village in the central region.

Mrs Emmanuel in 2010, established the Institute of Transformation in Ghana aimed at training future leaders and family life mentors on the importance of integrating family and career life for a more stable society in Ghana.  Mrs Emmanuel has a strong passion for the restoration of God’s glory to relationship, marriage and family. She is a highly sought after media resource person with over seven years of hosting  ‘Echoes of Hope’, a radio broadcast on several radio stations in the Western Region of Ghana.

Chief Emmanuel Okeson

He is a Nigerian business man resident in Ghana, with passion for the development of Ghanaian economy, empowerment of Nigerians and the promotion of unifying factors for the two countries. Mr Okeson is one of the few

Nigerians whose organisation: City Light among others, has created employment for over three hundred Ghanaians.

Mr Okeson has won several awards amongst which are outstanding personality of the year by the West Africa Nobles Forum; distinguished merit award of recognition by the City People Media.

His love for Ghana and unity between the two countries caused him not only to marry a Ghanaian as wife, but also inspire him to invest in projects involving Ghana and Nigeria. Mr Okeson is one of the major sponsors of the first of its kind Miss Nigeria, Ghana 2012.

Dr Alex Ilechie

He is a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where he also doubles as the President of All Nigeria Community; an association which is the umbrella body of Nigerians resident in Central Region. His influence as a leader who has the interest of Ghana and Nigeria at heart, has aided the peaceful co-existence between Nigerians and Ghanaians in the Central Region part of Ghana.

Not only that, Dr Ilechie, as a worthy role-model to Nigerian youths schooling in the Central region part of Ghana, is the patron of Nigerian Students Association (NSA),which he founded. It is a platform that fosters  integration between Nigerian and Ghanaian students.

Dr Ilechie has over 20 years of exposure in students’ management and academic counseling both locally and internationally. He has also served as president of a number of international organisations in Ghana, which include United for Sight; International/US and Voluntary Optometric Service to Humanity-US.

HRM, Dr Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Eze Ohazurumee1

He is a charismatic business man who sits atop Chi-bert Group of Companies, with interest in oil and gas, transport, aluminium, agriculture, entertainment among others, which has created employment for both Nigerians and Ghanaians. He was recently given a traditional title by Ga Traditional Council as Mantse (Chief) in Ghana, as a result of his good standing as a traditional leader and outstanding Nigerian who has contributed to the peaceful co-existence between Nigerians and Ghanaians.

Prior to that, Eze Chucks was crowned the Eze Ndi Igbo of Igbos in Ghana, though amidst controversy, he has been able to put smiles on many Igbo peoples’ faces by establishing Igbo language school, first of its kind in West Africa. The purpose of the school which has about six centers in strategic places in Accra, is to protect the culture and tradition of Igbo people, as well as to teach Ghanaians who are interested in learning the language.

Otunba Michael Ajayi

His contributions to the fostering of Ghana-Nigeria relationship has over the years focused on the economic integration between Nigeria and Ghana. Otunba Ajayi, who is known to be the Director General of Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently organised the first of its kind made in Ghana Solo Exhibition; a project which was aimed at helping Ghanaian manufacturers penetrate into the Nigerian market.

It is on record that in 2009, Otunba Ajayi organised the first Ghana-Togo-Benin-Nigeria Business summit with the theme: ‘Breaking Barrier and Partnering to Optimise Trade Potential.’ Aside from being the Chief Executive Officer of Vintage & Visions Limited, he is the author of ‘Nigeria Diplomatic Footprints in Ghana: The Obanikoro Years.’