The Constituency for Africa (CFA) organized a farewell reception on March 22nd in honor of Obiageli (Oby) K. Ezekwesili, who is leaving as the Vice President of the Africa Region of the World Bank after completing her five-year tour.  The reception was held in the community at the Smithsonian Museum in Anacostia in SE Washington, DC.

With a shaking, choked up voice and tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Oby’s first words at the podium were:  “I don’t know what to say.”  After repeating this a couple of times, she said, “Thank you, I’m grateful” and proceeded to address the room which was full to capacity.  Oby, the outgoing Vice President of the World Bank Africa Region, received an enviable send-off by the African Diaspora.

Oby is never lost for words and witnessing this was momentous to many in the room, commented a couple of her friends on their way out. The occasion was a farewell party hosted recently in her honor by the African Diaspora at the Smithsonian Museum in Anacostia, South East, Washington, District of Columbia.  Coordinating on behalf of the Diaspora were the Constituency for Africa and the African American Unity Caucus, through their individual members. 

In attendance at the reception that was organized by the Constituency for Africa (CFA), a Washington, DC based education and policy advocacy organization, were a large number of Washington  Diaspora luminaries, including Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art, who proudly announced, “We’re here to pay tribute to our s-hero!”

Dr. Jendayi Fraser, former Assistant Secretary of State for Africa under President George W. Bush said, “Your community’s thanking you for all the work you’ve done.”  Describing Oby’s tough travel schedule, “I have seen you as a warrior on the road,” said Fraser.  “Oby’s standards of integrity and forthrightness wants us to be the best of ourselves,” she added.

Rev. Jonathan Weaver, one of the key speakers preached about learning to find your purpose and destiny God has for us and being a ‘world changer.’  He said “Oby brought passion and energy to her job,” adding that “knowing that no person is an island, Oby reached out to the Diaspora.”   Weaver asked the room to applaud Oby for what she has done to be a ‘world changer.’  

“Oby put her money where her mouth is,” said Jeannine Scott, former Chair of African American Unity Caucus (a project of the Constituency for Africa that bring together African-Americans and other Americans of African descent, who lead or who are leaders in Africa-focused organizations and groups) and is the President of the US-Angola Chamber of Commerce.  “Several programs are ongoing because of Oby,” she added.  “You have left many points of light by putting up the resources needed.”

The African Diaspora Program in the Bank

In September 2007, shortly after Oby became the Vice President for the World Bank’s Africa region, the Bank’s Africa region launched the African Diaspora Program (ADP), seeking to further enable and enhance the human and financial capital contributions of African Diaspora to the economic development of their home countries.  The program has been operating on the African Union’s (AU) definition of the Diaspora, which includes non-voluntary immigrants whose ancestors were taken from Africa many years ago, as well as voluntary immigrants whose parents or themselves chose to emigrate from Africa to other parts of the world.  The AU considers the African Diaspora a 6th Province of Africa  The ADP has focused on strengthening policy, financial, and human capital development in Africa through a portfolio of activities and support, in partnership with the AU, partner countries, partner donors as well as African Diaspora Professional Networks and Hometown Associations. 

Working with African Union Commission (AUC), the ADP has supported projects and programs in many African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.  It has also hosted an African Diaspora Development Fund in Europe, which provided the winning Diaspora projects with start up funds to develop small businesses in Africa. 

The African institute to harness remittances is one of multi-country projects, born out of recognition of how critical it is to create an institution dedicated to supporting African countries in their quest to better leverage the estimated US$40 billion in yearly remittances which flow to the continent. 

African Diaspora members have accumulated an estimated US$53 billion in savings annually, including more than US$30 billion saved by people from sub-Saharan Africa.  This resource is equated to a new, untapped benefactor with strong cultural ties to the ancestral homeland.  Africa’s commitment to engaging her global Diaspora will culminate in an upcoming summit which will bring together African heads of state in South Africa on May 25th. 

The Chairman of the Board of the Constituency for Africa, Stanley L. Straughter said he was pleased with the turn-out for the reception for Vice President Oby.  Straughter said, “All of you  took time out of your busy schedules because of respect for Madam Oby and all that she has achieved towards engaging the African Diaspora in the World Bank’s program.  We certainly look forward to continuing to work with her as she transitions to her future good work for Africa”!

By  Melvin Foote

Founder, President and CEO of the Constituency for Africa (CFA).