Two Nigerians, Professor Akolisa Ufodike and Bukky Wonda, have been honoured by the Calgary Black Chambers, a Canadian organisation dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within professional spaces.
Professor Ufodike, a faculty member at York University and former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The recognition, announced last Friday, highlights his long-standing contributions to public service and community development.
Reflecting on the award in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Ufodike expressed gratitude and humility.
“This journey has been shaped by resilience, mentorship, and a deep sense of community,” he wrote.
“I don’t consider myself great—I’m still evolving. But this honour is a reminder from the community to keep pushing forward and to do even more.”
Also recognised was Bukky Wonda, a well-known immigration consultant and business strategist.
She received the Excellence and Innovation Award for her pioneering work in tech and entrepreneurship, especially as a Black woman navigating underrepresented spaces in the industry.
In her own response shared on LinkedIn, Wonda acknowledged the significance of the award.
“It’s difficult to describe what this means. When you’re building something new—especially as one of the few Black women in tech and innovation—the path is rarely clear. This recognition validates the journey.”
