Timi Frank lauds Umerah on Biden's lifetime achievement award

Nigerian-born Professor Nnaemeka Umerah has received the Presidential Lifetime Service Award from Joe Biden. Timi Frank celebrates the honour, praising Umerah's philanthropy in Nigeria and the US. — Dr Nnaemeka Umerah is a Professor of Medicine

Prominent political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has applauded the recent recognition of Nigerian-born Professor of Medicine, Dr. Nnaemeka Umerah, with the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Service Award. The honour was conferred by United States President Joe Biden in recognition of Umerah’s lifetime commitment to public service and community building.

The Presidential Lifetime Service Award is among the most esteemed civil honours in the United States, celebrating individuals whose volunteer efforts have significantly strengthened their communities.

While presenting the award, President Biden remarked, “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. I congratulate you in taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good and I am proud to present you with the Presidential Lifetime Service Award in recognition to your service to this great nation.”

In a congratulatory statement released on Friday, Timi Frank described Umerah as a “shining light not only in Nigeria but also in the diaspora.”

Frank expressed gratitude to the US government for acknowledging the professor’s invaluable contributions, highlighting his philanthropic work both in Nigeria and abroad.

The Anambra-born professor has made a lasting impact through his initiatives in Nigeria. Umerah is noted for establishing one of the largest orphanages in the country, renovating schools, and providing boreholes in rural communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Frank lauded these efforts, describing Umerah as a “humanist and philanthropist of high repute.”

Frank also called on the Nigerian government to emulate the US in honouring citizens like Umerah who have dedicated themselves to national and global development. He emphasised that such recognition would encourage similar contributions from other Nigerians.

“It is an honour well-deserved considering your years of contributions to better humanity both in Nigeria and in the United States of America. For us, we are happy to celebrate this milestone and identify with your achievements as a humanist and a philanthropist of high repute. Thank you for making Nigeria and Nigerians proud,” Frank said in his statement.

Professor Umerah’s recognition by the United States highlights the exceptional contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, serving as an inspiration for others to contribute meaningfully to their communities both at home and abroad.