NWAG Friends of Nigeria

2009 Friend of Nigeria.

Ms. Michelle Bernadette Miller

Ms. Miller has a passion for Nigerian Scholars and goes way beyond any prescribed role in meeting their needs. Kennesaw State University (KSU) has established a Quality Enhancement Program that will enhance global education in the next several. In keeping with this vision, KSU developed a faculty exchange model program with several Nigerian Universities that has resulted in over 10 scholars visiting KSU. Ms. Miller is involved with the entire process of their experience from the official aspects of processing their documents to their departure at the end of their visit. Ms. Michele Miller has worked at Kennesaw State University’s Institute for Global Initiatives for ten years. During these years, she has worked as staff person in charge of all international exchange students and scholars who visit KSU.

From the time the scholars arrive, Ms. Miller assumes the role of a "mother hen". They fondly call her “mama Michelle” because of the compassion and passion she brings to meeting their needs. Ms. Miller takes the visiting scholars on bus and Marta trips into Atlanta to expose them to the cultural treasures that Atlanta has to offer. She goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that they have a positive experience while they are at KSU. She takes them shopping weekly and to all agencies. Even when we have had scholars who need to go to the hospital, Ms. Miller volunteers to take them and has been known to stay at the hospital till 11:00pm in at least three occasions when the scholar had to spend the night. Again, none of these are part of her job description but reflect the passion she has for the scholars. This compassion is further extended to more staff and students who also attend KSU. Most recently, KSU has had two Ph.D. scholars from Nigeria whom she took all over to ensure that they had accommodation and the necessary resources which they needed to be successful. She maintains contact with all scholars who have left sending to them packages of information long after they have returned home to Nigeria.
She has received many awards and recognition including Peace Award, Student Leadership Training for Peace, Kennesaw State University Outstanding Leadership, KSU Staff Council and NAACP Advisor.
Ms. Miller obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University
NWAG is proud to name Ms. Miller as our 2009 Friend of Nigeria.

2008 Friend of Nigeria

A Woman of Humility and Compassion

Dr. Gloria Johnson-Rodgers, fondly known as Mother Gloria is a family practice physician, humanitarian, and author who began life in a shotgun house with a room off the side in a small town called Shaw, Mississippi.

Her work began as she sort to alleviate the suffering of families, but especially women and children in Nigeria. Through the donations and support of many since 2000, thousands have already benefited from her generosity. Scholarships have been donated for 1,500 children from very poor areas. These children are very gifted, but have no means for school. Dr. Rodgers has helped to build two schools and donated medical supplies, along with toiletries, to the women and children in the villages of Nigeria. Dr. Rodgers built an orphanage in Enugu because many children were left for relative to care for who could not care for themselves. Mother Rodgers has donated monies for women in Lagos and Oyo States to start businesses for themselves while supporting the dynamic women, an organization that encourages self- help.

Mother Rodgers has also donated sewing machines to the Women Crisis Center in Benue State as well as assisted with supplies, shelter and other needs. She has donated new clothing and food to orphanages in Ibadan, as well as supplied school supplies in Abuja, Mercy Orphanage and schools.

Through her servant hood abroad, Mother Rodgers has received numerous awards to include the Marion Merrill Dow Humanitarian Award, Bola Immaculate Humanitarian Award of Excellence, Nigeria, West Africa, the Legislative Black Caucus Volunteer of the Year Award, Atlanta, Georgia, and the Mason Theological Seminary Award for Foreign Service, Voices and Charming from Lane Bryant, National Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award, President's Bush Daily Points of Light Award, Washington, DC, National Caring Award, Washington, DC in honor of Mother Theresa, and many others.

Although Mother Rodgers' accomplishments are many, her most cherished accomplishment is her love, dedication, and devotion to her husband, Superintendent (Dr.) Charles Rodgers, and their four children, Gwendolyn, Charles "Chip" Jr., Elizabeth Megan, Adam James, and her family.

NWAG salutes our 2008 Friend of Nigeria. Our Sister, Our friend and fellow comrade in service

2007 Friend of Nigeria

Mrs. Nell Diallo-Executive Director, Medshare, International

Nell is a bi-lingual professional with vast international experience in private sector and development. Presently Executive Director of Medshare International and President of the Africa Business Council (ABC).

As the managing director of MEDSHARE and President of African Business Council, she has been instrumental in ensuring that the needs of the less fortunate are made, including the Nigerians at home and abroad.
In 2006, Nell assisted in raising $75,000 that went to support the National Hospital, Abuja through the Ministry of health.
She has been a constant support to many Nigerian physicians and medical personnel who embark on medical missions to our homeland.
Supported the building of the surgery unit at LUTH so that life-saving surgeries are being performed there.

Her other accomp0lsihements include:

Member of boards of directors of two Atlanta based nonprofits addressing health and women in development
Served as Special Advisor to President of Burkina Faso for over six years. Continue to assistant with issues related to promotion of tourism and marketing of the country.
Served as member of teaching team graduate program, School of Business, Emory University, course: Economic Development In Africa - Mali & Senegal
Over the past two years have hosted delegations from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Uganda and Cote D'Ivoire.

NWAG salutes our 2007 Friend of Nigeria. Our Sister, Our friend and fellow comrade in service

2005 Friend of Nigeria

Congress woman Cynthia McKinney

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney has distinguished herself as a strong, principled fighter for human rights and a drum major for justice. Her human rights activities extend beyond the shores of the United States o earn her international recognition. In February 1998, Congresswoman Mckinney co-sponsored the Nigerian Democracy Act (H.R 1786) to address the injustice and oppression in the hands of the military dictator, General Sanni Abacha. In March of 1999, Cynthia and other colleagues called for a congressional investigation on the role of chevron in abuses by Nigerian security forces in a letter to the chair of the House International Relations committee, “we believe that there is growing evidence that the US oil companies are accepting extra judicial killings and other human rights abuses as just another cost of doing business in Nigeria”. Cynthia is passionate about African and International community affairs. Her record is punctuated with unwavering effort to improve the lives of people of Africa by sponsoring or co-sponsoring bills that seek to empower the people of Africa. Such bills include the Hunger to Harvest Bill. She was one of the panelists at the Investment Industry and Technology in Nigeria Conference held on Capitol Hill , Washington DC in April 2000. NWAG is proud to call congresswoman Cynthia McKinney our friend

2004 Friend of Nigeria.

Mrs. Monica Pearson –TV Anchor, WSB-TV, Channel 2

Ms. Monica Pearson anchors Channel 2 Action News at 5 and 6 and 11 pm Monday through Friday. She joined WSB-TV in August of 1975. She graduated from the University of Lousville and was a reporter with the Lousville Times for four years. She worked in public relations for Brown –Forman Distillers before joining WHAS-TV in Lousville as a reporter and anchor for two years.

monica Monica Pearson has always been a supporter of the African and Nigerian communities here in Atlanta. She has taken time from her busy schedule on numerous occasions to attend many African events. She has visited many parts of Africa including Nigeria. She produced a television program recently about her trip to Senegal and South Africa. She has always been a strong advocate of educating people about the African potential. Mrs. Pearson is being honored in recognition of her love and support of the has shown to Nigerians and in fact, Africans living in the United States and her positive contributions to the ways Africans are being perceived America.

2003 Friend of Nigeria

Dr. Brenda W. Cloud—Educator and Philanthropist

Dr. Brenda W. Cloud; The Educator and Philanthropist. Dr. Cloud is an active Atlantan . She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Elementary Education at Spelman College. She went on to Atlanta University where she obtained her Master’s of Arts Degree in Learning Disability (1979) and a Doctorate in Administrative Leadership (1990).

For Dr. Cloud, education is not a job or even a mere profession, it is a calling! She has spent much of her adult life in the classroom working with the youth and the learning disabled of the Atlanta Metropolitan community When she is not teaching them directly, she is empowering teachers, parents and community leaders through though workshops and presentations.

Most importantly, Dr. Cloud loves Africa and especially Nigeria. Like her husband Wayne said, mention Nigeria and she will drop everything and say let’s go. Dr. cloud spent the summer of 1994 as an adjunct professor at the University of Uyo. She is also the former Board Chair for Africa’s children’s Fund, an organization based her in Atlanta Georgia. She is always looking for avenues through which she can be of help to Nigeria and Nigerians. She has found one in NWAG!!