AMBASSADOR DR. YAKUBU A. DADU HONOURED WITH NEGA “DIPLOMATIC ICON AWARD” IN FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY.

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Isaac Izoya Cultural Ambassador

Nigeria’s Consul General receives surprise honour for diplomatic excellence, cultural engagement and support for Nollywood

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY; In a dramatic and emotional moment at the 2026 Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) Gala Night, His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Yakubu A. Dadu, Consul General of Nigeria in Frankfurt, was honoured with the prestigious NEGA “Diplomatic Icon Award” in recognition of his distinguished diplomatic career, exemplary leadership and outstanding support for Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries in Germany.

The surprise award was presented during the grand finale of the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) Gala Night held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Saray Turkuz Event Centre in Frankfurt am Main.

Ambassador Dadu had played a prominent role in the planning and success of the festival, working closely with the organisers and the Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt to ensure that the 2026 edition surpassed previous editions in organisation, visibility and impact.

A LEGACY-DRIVEN PARTICIPATION;

The 2026 festival was particularly significant for Ambassador Dadu, who indicated that it could be his final major participation in the planning of the festival in his capacity as Consul General in Frankfurt, ahead of a possible new posting.

During the planning stages, he repeatedly emphasised the need for a highly successful festival that would leave a lasting legacy.

He was quoted as saying that the success of the 2026 edition should become part of his record and legacy in Frankfurt, describing the event as one he wanted to see succeed beyond the achievements of previous editions.

HE SUBSEQUENTLY LIVED UP TO THAT COMMITMENT.

Speaking during the opening of the festival at the Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum (DFF) cinema, Event Director Isaac Izoya, Cultural Ambassador, described Ambassador Dadu as a man of his word and commended him for continuing the tradition of support established by his predecessors.

Izoya specifically referenced former Consul General Ambassador Wahab A. Akande, now Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland, that Ambassador Dadu had successfully stepped into the leadership role and continued the Consulate’s engagement with Nigeria’s cultural community.

A CONSUL GENERAL WHO EMBRACED NOLLYWOOD

According to the organisers, Ambassador Dadu’s relationship with the Nollywood Film Festival Germany began almost immediately after his arrival in Germany.

The festival provided one of his earliest opportunities to engage extensively with Nigerians in the Frankfurt area in 2024, and he subsequently became a consistent supporter of the annual cultural initiative like his predecessors.

His involvement also continued a longstanding relationship between the Nigerian diplomatic mission and Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V., which has collaborated with Nigerian diplomatic representatives in Germany on cultural initiatives since 2002.

Throughout the planning of the 2026 festival, Ambassador Dadu remained keenly interested in the programme, logistics and objectives of the event.

What he did not know, however, was that the organisers had planned a special honour for him.

THE SURPRISE THAT LEFT THE AMBASSADOR SPEECHLESS

The presentation of the award became one of the most memorable moments of the Gala Night.

Having already participated in presenting awards to several recipients, Ambassador Dadu was invited onto the stage alongside His Excellency Ambassador Senator Ita Enang, LL.D., OFR, and Ambassador Wahab A. Akande, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland, to assist in presenting what the organisers described as a “Special Second Surprise Award” to a prominent personality.

Earlier in the evening, the first surprise award had been presented to media personality Stella Dimoko Korkus.

The suspense surrounding the second award was carefully maintained by the Stuttgart-based master of ceremonies, Ms. Ejiroghene Jean Okosun.

After reading portions of the citation without revealing the recipient, she turned to the three ambassadors and asked whether any of them had an idea who the recipient might be.

Their silence triggered laughter and applause from the audience.

Then came the announcement:

“The winner is His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Yakubu A. Dadu!”

The announcement was met with thunderous applause, cheers and laughter as Ambassador Dadu realised that he himself was the recipient.

The moment became even more emotional as the other dignitaries and guests joined in congratulating him.

“I AM HUMBLED BY THIS UNEXPECTED HONOUR”

In his acceptance remarks, Ambassador Dadu expressed his appreciation to Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V. and its founder, Isaac Izoya Cultural Ambassador, describing the award as both unexpected and humbling.

He acknowledged the enormous financial and organisational commitment involved in staging an international cultural festival and commended Izoya for sustaining the event over the years.

“This is a wake-up call to do more,” the Ambassador said, while encouraging Nigerians and stakeholders to keep supporting the festival and its organisers.

He further stressed the importance of cultural events such as NFFG, noting that their true value is sometimes only recognised when they are no longer available.

He encouraged continued support for Izoya and the festival so that “the show will always go on.”

WHY AMBASSADOR DADU WAS CHOSEN

The NEGA “Diplomatic Icon Award” recognises Ambassador Dadu’s more than two decades of distinguished service in Nigeria’s Foreign Service and his contributions to diplomacy, peacebuilding, international relations and cultural engagement.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral and multilateral relationships across Africa, Europe, North America and the United Nations system.

His professional record encompasses diplomacy, international policy, peace and security, regional integration and the advancement of Nigeria’s interests on the international stage.

He has also contributed to research and policy discussions in the areas of peace, security and regional cooperation, including issues relating to ECOWAS.

In Germany, his engagement with the Nigerian community and support for cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as the Nollywood Film Festival Germany further distinguished his tenure.

The organisers stated that his commitment to diplomatic excellence, cultural engagement and international partnership made him a fitting recipient of the prestigious honour.

The citation concluded by recognising Ambassador Dadu for his “distinguished service, visionary leadership and enduring impact on international diplomacy.”

Fourth Nigerian Ambassador Honoured by Ehizoya Golden Entertainment

With the presentation of the award, Ambassador Dr. Yakubu A. Dadu became the fourth Nigerian Ambassador to be honoured by Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V.

Previous recipients include Ambassador Abdule Rimdap, Ambassador John Ejinaka and Ambassador Wahab A. Akande.

Explaining the philosophy behind the recognition of Nigerian diplomats, Event Director Isaac Izoya described the awards as a form of institutional “report card” for diplomatic service.

According to Izoya, honouring ambassadors is the organisation’s way of saying thank you to Nigerian diplomatic representatives who positively represent the country and its citizens during their tenure abroad.

For Ambassador Dadu, the honour therefore represented more than an award. It was a public acknowledgment of his diplomatic service, his engagement with Nigerians in Germany and his contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s cultural presence through Nollywood.

The surprise presentation at the 2026 NEGA Gala Night consequently became one of the defining moments of an evening dedicated to celebrating Nigerian excellence, creativity, diplomacy and cultural heritage in Europe.

By the time Ambassador Dadu returned to his seat, one thing was clear: the man who had come to help celebrate others had unexpectedly become one of the evening’s most celebrated honourees.

Written By: Isaac Izoya Cultural Ambassador