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, 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 (2017–2021), 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 both predecessors and successors will be 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, towering intellect and unshakeable 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, a notable figure in the African diaspora community in Germany, underscores the importance of harnessing skilled diaspora professionals for African development.
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 was Senior Special Assistant 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.
Austin Ohaegbu
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About Dr RosaLyn Dressman
Dr Rosalyn Dressman is the founder of AfricanTide Union, an international non-profit organization. Under her leadership, AfricanTide Union has initiated several impactful projects, including skills training, entrepreneurship programs and youth empowerment initiatives. These projects aim to equip participants with tools to succeed in German society while also fostering connections with Africa for sustainable development.
Rosalyn Dressman, who holds a doctorate degree in political science, has been recognized for her commitment to community development, her advocacy for equal opportunities and her role in addressing social challenges within the African community in Germany. She is often seen as a bridge-builder between African and German communities, working to highlight the contributions of African migrants and their importance in a multicultural society.
