From Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu
Houston, Texas/
Some Nigerian cultural ambassadors in the United States have asked the Mayor of Houston to support efforts towards having a modern healthcare delivery system and increased food production in Africa’s most populous nation.
During a visit by the Asa Festival 2018 delegation to the Mayor of the City of Houston, Mr Sylvester Turner, he asked his visitors: “How can the City of Houston be of service to Nigeria?”
Responding, the Matron of the Asa Festival Incorporated, Chief Yeside Adeniji, a Professor of Medicine, said that Nigeria would look forward to a partnership with Houston on modern healthcare delivery.
She said, “We seek Engineering development and clinical application of Robotic Surgery.
“Robotic Surgery is now used in open heart surgery, lungs, digestive and urological procedures with outstanding outcomes.
“The technological expertise and servicing of the equipment will be part of ongoing collaboration with Houston Medical Center. This is a great opportunity of mutual benefit between Asa Festival Inc. and the Mayor’s office in the City of Houston.”
Prof. Adeniji added that diffuse use of mechanized farming by agriculturists and farmers in Nigeria would increase food production in South West Nigeria with its vast land of fertile soil.
“No family should go to bed hungry with this massive food production method.”
Earlier at the reception, the Mayor had called on the Nigerian Government to open a Consular office in Houston because of the mass population of Nigerians in the City.
He said that Houston had the largest Nigerian population in the United States and so deserved a Consulate General.
He added that Nigerians were making a positive contribution to the economy of Houston, and it would make a lot of sense for Consular General Office to be in the city.
The stage for the interaction was set in the Mayor’s office when he received the Nigerian traditional rulers’ delegation to the Asa Festival 2018.
He said: “We have the largest Nigerian population in Houston. The only thing we require now is a Consular General’s office.”
Then, he added jokingly: “There is a Nigeria Consulate in Atlanta, a good city, but second to Houston.”
Mayor Turner said that Nigerians were very hard working and supportive.
“They have an educative population. We are very proud of the Nigeria community. For any positive relationship with Nigeria, count us in,” he said.
The leader of the Asa Festival 2018 delegation, Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, also told the Mayor that Nigeria has a very rich cultural background, comprising arts and craft, as well as traditional wears of diverse ethnic groups. He mentioned that the country would appreciate the City of Houston’s collaboration in modern health technology and education.
The delegation had earlier been celebrated at the Mayor of Houston’s office at the weekend by the Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Davis.
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