Business
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NIGERIANS. TEXANS. EMPOWERED AND UNITED. On the 15th and 16th of November 2021, the event known as the Nigeria TexasX Economic, Cooperation, Investments, and Governance Mission took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Downtown Houston, Texas. There was also a follow-up event in Austin on 18th November at San Jacinto Boulevard. This event was an opportunity for numerous people to meet different public and private delegates from Nigeria to speak about business and investment opportunities for the country. Such sectors of interests that are regularly talked about include the following: Digital Technology Solutions, Energy, Water Resources, Infrastructure, Transportation, Agro-Business, Education, Health, and Social Services. Special Attendees were also present for the event including high-profile figures like the Mayor of Houston and his representatives, the Hon. Nigerian Ambassador, Hon. Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, and Hon. Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory. Much was discussed about what can be done to collaborate between Houston and Nigeria to invest in the African country, and many guest speakers spoke as well including Ysa Abraham, Head of Business of Afrovibes TV. They all spoke about what can be done to uplift Nigeria in multiple sectors as well as uplift other African groups as well. A very successful event, much more will follow up after the conference among all those that have participated in Nigeria TexasX.
On May 25th, the holiday known as Africa Day (also known as African Freedom Day or African Liberation Day) was celebrated for the 4th time in Houston at the George R Brown Convention Center. It is the annual commemoration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, whose legacy continues to be upheld by the African Union. With this event was the presence of many high-profile leaders in the political, business, and community sectors. People present in the event included the Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Councilman Edward Pollard, and even the USA Ambassador of the African Union, Hilda Suka-Mafudze. Such high profile figures managed to give speeches celebrating African identity and adding further cultural enrichment in Houston. There was much cultural exchange and networking done during the event itself in efforts to bring the people of Houston closer to the people of Africa who visited for this event. Afrovibes TV was also present in the Africa Day event as well with Head of Business and Host, Ysa Abraham and Creative Director Cara Soleil White, interviewing people including Mayor Sylvester Turner himself as well as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Councilman Edward Pollard. With such a successful event, it is to be expected that there will be many more annual events celebrating African Day for the years to come as well.
By Matthew Curran
AFRICA DAY IN HOUSTON
