Canadian minister visits Alaafin Owoade

The Canadian Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development, Terry Duguid, has paid a courtesy call on the Alaafin-elect, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, in Canada.According to a release signed by Alaafin Owoade’s Media Aide, Bode Durojaiye, Duguid was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South in 2015.

Durojaiye said Duguid promised to visit Nigeria next year.

Minister Duguid has previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency).

He was also Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development.
With a diverse background in civic government, business, and environmental leadership, Minister Duguid has shown a strong commitment to public service throughout his career.

From 1989 to 1995, he served as a Winnipeg city councillor. In 1995, he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway North Marketing Agency to secure a future for the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Rail Line.

Two years later, he founded Sustainable Developments International, a firm specialising in environmental management, sustainable development, transportation, and international affairs consulting. He was later named Chairman of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission, then President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, a non-profit public health organisation he helped create.

In addition to his professional career, Minister Duguid has devoted considerable time and effort to community and national environmental organisations and initiatives.

He served as Executive Director of the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force in 2001, as a member of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy from 2000 to 2004, and as a member of the Manitoba Emissions Trading Task Force in 2004.

Minister Duguid has a lifelong interest in science and its role in the betterment of society. He earned first-class honours while obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Carleton University. He also holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary, with a focus on tackling the crucial issues of water quality, ozone depletion, and acid rain.

The son of two-time World Curling champion and renowned curling broadcaster Don Duguid, Minister Duguid grew up playing curling with his four brothers. He also played football, hockey, and baseball and remains an avid sports fan to this day. Most recently, he has worked to help establish cricket pitches in his community of Winnipeg South.

The Minister is someone who respects culture and traditions.
He urged the Monarch to always have the community at heart.