Team

President
Dr Michael Akindeju
Ph.D., CEng, CChem, RPEQ, PgD (Banking & Finance), FIChemE, SMAIChE, MAusIMM, MRACI
Michael is an engineer, industrialist, and researcher, an avid innovator who thrives in the application of critical thinking and strategic foresight in contemplating current conditions and forecasting future scenarios with a view to mitigating risk and accelerating opportunities. His business has supported several other businesses, large corporates, and government agencies to realise and surpass corporate performance targets by providing technically sound and cost-conscious solutions.

With cross boundary experience, Michael is passionate about re-branding identities of African Australian. He is an akin proponent of ‘One Humanity’, equity, and equality, and continues to advocate for a society where skin pigmentation does not determine the opportunities people are exposed to. He is the Principal Process Engineering Consultant and Director at MKPro Group.
Secretary
Lateef Adeleye
Lateef migrated from Nigeria about 15 years ago. He trained as a nurse and work as a clinician and run a small business that specialises in recruiting nurses to remote areas of Northern Territory.

He use my spare time to engage in politics and issues that can improve the lives of Africans in diaspora. Looking forward to serve BAA and its members.
Deputy Secretary
Vacant
Treasurer
Angela Bijimba
Every community faces different challenges that impact that community members’ health, well-being and development, for example: drug use, unemployment, school drop out, violence and harassment, just to mention a few. Creating a livable community where the society feels a sense of belonging and engaged requires great leaders, who are passionate and willing to support and also guide their community members to find solutions to the issues the community face. This is where I as a leader, along my fellow community leaders, work hand in hand to guide, support and lead our community on the journey to finding solutions and also build unity among different cultures.

Ambitious, Courageous, and diligent female—Angela Bijimba is very passionate about succeeding in life and educate on issues that impact people in the community. As a young advocate Angela uses her leadership skills to bring people together to build confidence, leadership, and great communication skills.
Deputy Treasurer
Vacent
Social Development Officer
Rebecca Gatwech
BA, MBA
Rebecca (‘Bec’) was born in Ethiopia, migrated to Australia in 2001; and has lived most of her life in Australia.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, a Master of Business Administration and has held a long-term employment since 2015. Currently Licensing Officer.

Bec is passionate about using her knowledge and skill to grow our African community here in Ballarat, and her goal is to see every single African in this rural city working or doing something that has a positive impact on our people and the wider Ballarat community.
Deputy Social Development Officer
Albert Mumba
Albert worked as a support worker for 3 years and teacher for a year and currently working under the Centre for Multicultural Youth as a youth advisor. He is student studying education with main objective of bringing about a qualitative growth and development to our society and have society with no discrimination on any basis and equal opportunities for all..

As a social development officer his main goal is to improve the well-being of every individual in our society so they can reach their full potential. He believes if we invest in people, that individual and their family will do well and the whole society benefits as the overall wealth of the community is linked to the wellbeing of its constituent members.
Public Relations Officer
Vacant
Deputy PRO
Vacant
Youth Coordinator
Abidemi Aliyu
Abidemi is registered Nurse by profession, and a mother of two beautiful girls, and has been in Australia for 13 years. She relocated to Ballarat 8 years ago and previously lived in Gippsland. She has been involved with community soccer for some years and enjoys playing as well. She believes that our present youth are tomorrow’s future and we need to keep them engaged within the community through learning & development, sports, fun activities etc.
Deputy Youth Coordinator
Lamourette Folly
Lamourette is a journalist, a multicultural community advocate, a customer service officer, a student and a passionate Australian of Togolese and refugee background. Lamourette has experience in social community activities and working with young people.