African Day Celebration And ACF Inauguration Buffet in Hamburg
(Pix L) Mr. Elombo Bolayela, the African SPD Parliamentarian in the City-State of Bremen, then gave a sober speech in which he called on Africans to wake up to the challenges in Germany; calling upon the Germans, on the other hand, to embrace more than ever before the philosophy of true integration”
It was a spectacular and glamorous night full of excitement. An occasion where a large section of the opinion leaders of the African community in Hamburg, politicians in the Hamburg Parliament, top Administrators and Academics saw it as inevitable to attend. The quality of the attendance is testified by this curtailed roll-call of personalities, which must be immediately rendered here: Madam Petra Lotzkat of the Integration Department, represented Mr. Detlef Scheele, Senator for Social, Family and Integration; Mr. Dietrich Wersich, Christian Democratic Party (CDU), former Social, Family and Integration Affairs Senator and now Parliamentary Leader; Mr. Günter Ploß, Social Democrat (SPD), President of the powerful Hamburger Sportbund e.V; Rev. Okeke Prince Ossai, Chairman of the African Christian Council Hamburg; Dr. Enusa Ramani, Secretary of the African Muslim Associations Hamburg; Mr. Nikolaus Haufler, Spokesman for integration policy in the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) parliamentary group; Mr. Elombo Bolayela, Social Democratic Party Deutschland (SPD), Member of Parliament in Bremen; Mrs. Sabine Werner, represented the Honorary Consulate of Ghana; Madam Martina Stahl, Chief of the Steilshoop Area Bureau; Mr. Huy-Tam Van, Christian Democratic Party (CDU,) member of the Waldorfer Regional Committee; Dr. Johann Schmid, Senior Military Officer and Lecturer at the IFSH University in Hamburg, expert on “Clausewitz’ Theory of War,”; Prof. Ebenezer Samson, Professor of Mathematics with assignments in Ghana, Switzerland and Hamburg; Prof. Dr. Matthias K. Scheer, renowned and Harvard trained legal practitioner in Hamburg; Prof. Dr. Lars Holtkamp, Head of the Political Science Dept., University of Distance Learning in Hagen, Germany; Madam Rosalyn Weber, publisher of the African Tide in Dortmund; Prof. Peter Budweg, Professor in Education; Dr. Daniel Ubani, Cosmetic and Aesthetic Surgeon and Anti-Aging Medicine in Witten; Mr. Ibrahim Samak, Engr. Solar Scientist in Stuttgart, African Heritage Man of the Year 2007and holder of the Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Mr. Bernd Ecker, Coach of NCG Football Club in Hamburg; NCG Football Club Captain and players; Andreas Zschorsch, Bild Zeitung Hamburg and a good number of the 52 members of the Hamburg Senate Integration Advisory Council; many African pastors in Hamburg, and last but not the least, the members of African Consultative Forum (ACF) Hamburg.
The Occasion’s Essence
The occasion was organised by Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, one of the two representatives for the African region in the Integration Advisory Council of the Hamburg Senate, at the grand hall of Le Royal in Barmbek to celebrate Africa Day on 25th May 2012, in combination with the inauguration of the African Consultative Forum (ACF). The African Consultative Forum is an initiative by Hon. Kenneth Gbandi to help boost up his work at the Integration Advisory Council. The event took off at about 19:00 with a welcome drink while the musical artist, Fabian Addo, accompanied the attendance with a musical interlude on piano playing a popular jazz music. At 19:45 Mrs. Amen Enofe, in charge of the flow of events generally, asked the guests to get seated. Then the popular North German Band, CJ and the Resurrection Voices, got into action with a very vibrant African number, “Igwe”, a popular gospel tune. Thereafter, the host of the event, Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, was invited to deliver his welcome address. This was followed by an address by Frau Petra Lotzkat. Jojo, another well known musical artist in Germany, then followed suit with a solo performance.
(Pix above R : Madam Petra Lotzkat of the Integration Department, represented Mr. Detlef Scheele, Senator for Social, Family and Integration Affairs and delivered an encouraging address to the gathering)
Highlight of the Night
The highlight of the night was the introduction of the members of ACF by Mr. Clement Klutse who also gave a brief background of ACF. After the introduction ceremony, the ACF members, standing in line in front of the gathering, held each other’s hand as a sign of unity, while Florian Omishade, another music icon, struck a tune on the piano and perfumed the hall with “We All Need Just Somebody To Lean On” in what many people later described as overwhelming event. Mr. Elombo Bolayela, the African SPD Parliamentarian in the City-State of Bremen, then gave a sober speech in which he called on Africans to wake up to the challenges in Germany; calling upon the Germans, on the other hand, to embrace more than ever before the philosophy of true integration. The host, Hon. Kennth Gbandi, was given a surprise birthday package by Ms. Lillian Kunu and Film Actress, Dayan Kodua, who actually moderated the event. Ms. Lillian Kunu sang a very special birthday song for Hon. Kenneth Gbandi who had turned 44 on May 17.
Exquisite Buffet
When the speeches and ceremonies ended, came what everyone was finally waiting for, namely the buffet and, to say it with no exaggeration, there was enough of that. Indeed, it was an exquisite performance in African cuisine. And the guests wholeheartedly consumed it to their utmost satisfaction. At the end of the buffet, the brochure “The New Face of Africa in Hamburg, The Pathfinder” which Hon. Gbandi had prepared beforehand was presented to the public. Young CRhyme, Dayan Kodua, Otto Addo and Yared Dibaba were also introduced as Goodwill Ambassadors. The vibrant music of the D.J. Bayo kept a lot of those present on their feet dancing continuously till the end. The Enugu State Cultural Dance Group in Hamburg brought streaks of culture to the event, with two of people in the group wearing big cultural masks as part of the performance and thus enriched the African cultural heritage that night.
Sponsors
The event was sponsored by Kenneth Gbandi, Geschäftsführer HiBC and Editor-in-Chief African Heritage Magazine, Mr. Philipp Stacho, Geschäftsführer Overseas Forwarding; Mr. Andreas Krüger, Director APK Worldwide Courier; Mr. Emeka Emekwa, CEO George Truckers; Mr. Festus Obgeiwi, CEO Obgeiwi Facilities; Mr. Obidike Francis, CEO Chimix Group; Dr. Maurice C. Kwem, NEX Nationwide Express; Mr. Stephan Bührich, Honorary Consul of Ghana; Madam Cynthia Accam-Neuendert, proprietor, Safari House Keil; Pastor and Mrs. Solomon Enofe; Mr. Jude Ogunnaya, President Nigerian Community Germany; Madam Fiona Ngozi-Ogbo Akano from UK; Mr. Adams Martin and the Enugu State Cultural Group; Chief Basil Anuniru, CEO Emiban International Spendition; Chief Victor Njimah, CEO NPN Hamburg; Godwin Uju Orakwue, Mr. Uche Umeorji, CEO Global Ventures, Ms. Lillian Kunuh and Mr. Twelve’s 12 Stones.
The event came to an end at about 01:00 Hrs with a vote of thanks from Hon. Kenneth Gbandi.
The impression of the party could be viewed at:- www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4216814496727.2179936.1176039325&type=3
and the full speech of Hon. Gbandi could also be read at www.kennethgbandi.com
Kenneth Gbandi for African Heritage Magazine