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Former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale supported by his wife, receives his award from Ambassador Kuzayoshi
By Anthony Maliki
The relationship between Nigeria and Japan was further cemented with the conferment of decoration of Emperor of Japan award on two Nigerians.
They are former Nigeria Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewale for the 2020 Spring conferment and former Nigeria Ambassador to Japan, Professor Mohammed Gana Yisa for the 2021 Autumn conferment.
The conferment in Abuja on Monday by Japan Ambassador to Nigeria and Plenipotentiary to ECOWAS, Matsunga Kazuyoshi also witnessed presentation of awards to winners of the Japanese speech contest.
Ambassador Kazuyoshi in his address explained that Nigeria and Japan annual bilateral trade volume has hit $1billion with 47 Japanese companies operating in Nigeria today.
He also said both countries were able to develop bilateral relationships in medical care, the environment, security, education and sports.
According to him, people-to-people exchanges and personal contributions form the foundation of State-to-State relationships and commended the two recipients for their dedication at strengthening those ties.
In his speech, Professor Adewale noted that the award was the icing on the cake and thanked the emperor for finding him worthy.
He also thanked the Government of Japan for the grants granted Nigeria while he was Minister of Health and noted the 32 ambulances given to Nigeria.
According to him, Japan was responsible largely for eradication of polio in Nigeria and Africa and carry out their contributions without making noise about it.
He said stands for hard work and humility and promised to remain an ambassador for stronger Nigeria-Japan relationship.
On his part, Professor Yisa said he cherish the award which is the first of its kind anywhere.
He said Japan is his second home having studied in the country and later served as Nigeria ambassador.
He said during his tour of duty in Japan he was cardinal to the establishment of the Nigeria-Japan Parliamentary League and instrumental for the visits of President Muhammadu Buhari and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Professor Yisa stressed that if Nigerian could dedicate 1/10th of their energies to what the Japanese are doing, the country could have been better than what it is.
He dedicated his award to Saraki dynasty.
In his address, a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki said he was impressed with the emperor’s choice of the recipients are they are personalities that are not looking for unnecessary recognition.
Dr. Saraki noted that he has worked with the two recipients closely and are competent people.
Those who received the award for Japanese speech contest are Aminu Ashiru, Best performance, Ms. Oluwaseyi Titilayo Ajayi, Outstanding performance, Ms. Janet Sunday Abakpa, Outstanding performance, Stephen Lorenzo ani, Embassy’s Special award, Mr. Precious Oluwaseun Ishola, Encouragement award and Olayinka Jonathan Orimogunje.
