The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Commander Matuwo I. Olufokunbi of the United States Navy for his groundbreaking achievements, describing him as a beacon of inspiration to Nigerians at home and abroad.
Commander Olufokunbi, a Nigerian-American, has made history as the third Nigerian-American to command a U.S. Navy warship. He also achieved the rare distinction of becoming the first Nigerian-American to qualify as a Nuclear Engineer under the elite United States Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.
In a congratulatory message signed by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, Dabiri-Erewa lauded Olufokunbi’s accomplishments as “a source of pride and inspiration not only to Nigerians in the diaspora but also to the entire nation.”
She praised his resilience and pioneering spirit, which she said reflect the strength, ingenuity, and global competitiveness of Nigerians worldwide.
“This is a reflection of the Nigerian spirit of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Commander Olufokunbi’s outstanding success demonstrates once again that Nigerians in the diaspora are excelling in every field of human endeavor,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
Highlighting his distinction in one of the U.S. military’s most rigorous programs, she stressed that his success underscored the discipline, quality, and capability of Nigerians on the global stage.
The NiDCOM boss urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Olufokunbi’s journey, reminded them that determination and integrity can pave the way to the highest levels of success anywhere in the world.
She reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to celebrating and supporting Nigerians in the diaspora, whose achievements, she noted, continue to uplift the nation’s image internationally.
