THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Dr RosaLyn Amanda Dressman, a former President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany (2017–2021), has been appointed Director-General of the Electricity Regulatory Agency of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. In her new role, Ms. Dressman, who has already assumed office, is tasked with providing strategic leadership and overseeing the regulation of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and retail in the state.
The appointment has garnered widespread acclaim, including a congratulatory message from her immediate successor as NIDO Germany President, Femi Awoniyi, who is also the publisher of The African Courier.
Awoniyi described the appointment as a testament to Dressman’s competence and dedication, emphasizing the pivotal role she will play in ensuring stable and reliable electricity supply in Bayelsa State under Governor Douye Diri’s administration.
Reflecting on her NIDO Germany tenure, Awoniyi praised Dressman’s visionary leadership and trailblazing achievements, noting that her contributions continue to inspire those who followed. “Your tenure remains the benchmark against which leadership in NIDO Germany is measured,” he remarked.
As a longtime advocate for mobilizing diaspora resources for Africa’s development, Dressman’s new position aligns with her commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress. Awoniyi expressed confidence in her ability to excel, citing her boundless energy, intellect and optimism.
“You have long been a tireless advocate for the critical role of diaspora engagement in Africa’s development, driven by your belief that the continent’s progress is inextricably tied to mobilizing the resources of its diaspora,” Awoniyi said. “Your new position offers an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of this vision,” he added.
Governor Diri’s decision to appoint Dr. Dressman underscores the importance of harnessing skilled diaspora professionals for nation-building, with her leadership expected to strengthen development efforts in Bayelsa State.
Dressman, who is also the CEO of the international social and development organisation AfricanTide Union, has served the state in various capacities in the past five years. Until her new appointment, she Senior Special Assistants on the Diaspora to the Governor, with the mandate to mobilise the diaspora for increased engagement in the development efforts of Bayelsa State.
With a population of about 1.7 million, Bayelsa, one of Nigeria’s 36 federal states, is situated in the southern coastal region of the country and is rich in oil and gas deposits as well as in marine resources.
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