Governor O'Malley Signs Executive Order Creating Commission on African Affairs; Swears in Members
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 14, 2009) - Governor Martin O’Malley today signed Executive Order 01.01.2009.07 creating the Commission on African Affairs, and swore in the 21 members of the newly created Commission. The Commission is charged with creating, maintaining and fostering relationships with individuals and organizations to promote their social, cultural, and business interests, with a particular focus on community development.
“I am proud to swear in the 21 members of the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs,” said Governor O’Malley. “These individuals reflect the diverse ancestry and national origins of the African community in Maryland, and together with their knowledge and experience, will help increase public awareness and public education on issues important to the African American community in the State.”
The 21 members sworn into the Commission on African Affairs today include:
Valentina I. Ukwuoma – Ms. Ukwuoma is the newly appointed Chair of the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs. She is the head of the Bureau of Solid Waste for the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. She is a member of the Maryland Chapter of Nigeria Uboma Local Government Community Association, as well as the National Chapter of Ihitte-Uboma Natives in America. She is a Howard County resident.
Jewru Bandeh – Mr. Bandeh is the newly appointed Vice-Chair of the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs. He is the Assistant Director of the Montgomery County-Upcounty Regional Services Center. He is a Montgomery County resident.
Alex A. Agwuna – Mr. Agwuna is Vice President of Meridian Management Group. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Universal Surgical Associates, as well as the Board of Directors for the Friendship Association Education Assistance, Inc. He is a Howard County resident.
Kwaku Agyemang-Duah – Mr. Agyemang-Duah is the Transportation Planner for the City of Annapolis. He is a member of the American Planning Association. He is a Talbot County resident.
Ollie P. Anderson, Jr. - Mr. Anderson is the International Program Manager for Anderson International, LLC. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the New Initiatives Community Development Corporation. He is a member of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. He is a Prince George’s County resident.
Tebabu Assefa – Mr. Assefa is the Social Marketing and Media Consultant for Trees For The Future. He is a member of the Montgomery County Executive’s African Affairs Advisory Group, and a Board Member of the Takoma Foundation. He is a Montgomery County resident.
Nicholas N. Azinge, M.D. – Dr. Azinge is a Bariatrician (weight loss physician) with Greenbelt Medical Associates. He is a member of the Maryland Commission for Men’s Health. He is a Prince George’s County resident.
Mumin A. Barre – Mr. Barre is a Litigation Case Manager for Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company. He is the President of the Somali Diaspora Network, and the Co-Chair of the Montgomery County Executive’s African Affairs Advisory Group. He is a Montgomery County resident.
Sarian S. Bouma – Ms. Bouma is the CEO of Sianna Productions. She is the Co-Host of “Heart of a Winner” Weekly Radio Show, and a Board Member of the African American Business Women’s Association. She is an Anne Arundel County resident.
Davis Ebo – Mr. Ebo is the Founder, President and CEO of the Onyx Group, Inc. He is also the President of Biosecure One, LLC, Chairman of the Foundation for African Development, and President of the Ogidi Multicultural Association of Greater Washington. He is a Prince George’s County resident.
Sylvester Okey Ezeani – Mr. Ezeani is a Senior Network Engineer for the Department of Corrections for the District of Columbia. He is a Prince George’s County resident
Yonnas K. Kefle, Ph.D. – Mr. Kefle is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Frederick Community College. He is the 2nd Vice President of the Literacy Council of Frederick County, and the Economic Development Chair for the Frederick County Branch of the NAACP. He is a Frederick County resident.
Alfred M. Nkere – Mr. Nkere is Managing Director of the Executive Branch of East International Holdings. He is a member of the Baltimore Chapter of the African Chamber of Commerce. He is a Baltimore City resident.
Joseph N. Offoha – Mr. Offoha is a nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center. He is a Baltimore County resident.
Chukwuma Godwin Okeke – Mr. Okeke is a Pharmacist, and the Owner of Broadway Pharmacy. He is the Treasurer of the African Alliance Group, and a member of the Ihitte/Uboma Association of Maryland. He is a Baltimore County resident.
Anthony Mikoyan Okolo – Mr. Okolo is the Program Manager for the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation. He is a Prince George’s County resident.
Modupe Rachel Oladapo – Ms. Oladapo is a Student Services Representative for the Community College of Baltimore County. She is a member of WGTS 91.9 Radio Station Dream Team. She is a Baltimore City resident.
Adetoun Olumide – Ms. Olumide is a Legislative Aide for Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam. She is President of the Nigerian Youth Association of Maryland, and Secretary of the Baltimore Chapter of the African Chamber of Commerce. She is a Baltimore County resident.
Eva Shaw-Taylor – Ms. Shaw-Taylor is a Contracts Specialist for the International Division of the Department of Homeland Security. She is the Senior Grants and Contracts Manager for the University Research Company, LLC, and Vice President of the American Association of Grant Professionals National Chapter. She is a Prince George’s County resident.
Mamadou Ibra Sy – Mr. Sy is a Baltimore Metro Area Program Coordinator for Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area. He is a Baltimore City resident.
Paschal Udumukwu – Mr. Udumukwu is the President and CEO of High Point Construction, LLC, as well as the President and Founder of the African Alliance Group. He is a Baltimore County resident.
A copy of the Executive Order can be found at: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/executiveorders/01.01.2009.07.pdf
