Temitope Ajayi of Oakland, a community activist and Nigerian chief, said more than 100,000 Nigerians live in the Bay Area, and the Valentine's Day recognition dinner at Oakland's Lake Merritt Hotel was aimed at showcasing positive achievements of young people from elementary school to college age.

Brown presented educational excellence awards to Chiedu Ofuegbene, Rashedat Olenike Adio, Ihemelle Omaga and Kemi Bologun, all of Oakland; Ivane Folaranmi Soyombo and Lola Browne, both of Brentwood; Oluwakemi Macualey and Oluwatoberu Akintola Thomas, both of Richmond; and Chine Onyeukwu of Antioch.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee presented educational achievement awards to Lilian Oyinkansola Ajayi, Mariam Amin, Adebayo Gregory Aregbe and Lucy Oyinye Ogbue, all of Oakland, and Esther Ayorinde of Pittsburg.

State Sen. Don Perata presented scholastic achievement awards to Iheanyi Chime Ugumezi and Anne Olutope Odusanyo of Berkeley; Deborah Ayorinde of Pittsburg; and Ibrahim Idakoji, Yetunde Onipede and Feyesanyo Iroko, all of Oakland.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom presented educational achievement awards to Muinat Oluwakemi Amin and Adenike Basherat Amin, both of Alameda; Tareah Elamele Ilharo, Denise Mobolaji Ajayi, Rami Ogunleye, Herry Kayode Odufalu and Ifeoma Ogbodo, all of Oakland; Adaku Ofegbu of San Pablo; Sean Oluseun Ajayi of San Francisco; and Idoro Amanam and Unwana Essien of Fremont.

Chief Ajayi said she hopes the recognition dinner will become an annual event. To that end, she is helping plan a fundraiser, tentatively set for the weekend of Oct. 1, which is Nigerian Independence Day. For more information, call (707) 712-1293 or e-mail## annie--hector@hotmail.com .

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
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