President Goodluck Jonathan, Mandela Rhodes Foundation Nominated for 2014 African Achievers Award
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian President, the Rt. Hon. Goodluck Jonathan has been nominated for the prestigious African Achievers Award under the category of “Peace Keeping in Africa''. The Award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Presidential Banquet, State House, Accra, Ghana on Friday, 28th February 2014.
Addressing the Press at the TransCorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Mr Tonye Rex Idaminabo, convener of the African Achievers Awards disclosed that the organizers had embarked on rigorous research to see what President Jonathan has done regarding peace in Africa, and that President Jonathan's nomination was as a result of his Administration's role and participation in the promotion of peace, security and political stability in Africa by intervening in crises in Niger, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Mali.
“There are several other nominees for the same category from all over Africa, and come February 28, at the Ghana State House, in Accra, the winner will be made public." Says Mr Idaminabo.
Speaking during the Press Conference, Ambassador David James Egwu, Nigerian Director of Public Relations & Government Communications informed the press that over 26 African countries would be participating in the 2014 African Achievers Awards ceremony. He also called upon Africans throughout the continent to nominate individuals of outstanding leadership and personal capacity who have contributed in their own little way towards the development of the African continent.
“This is a huge task. We cannot achieve this alone. We need people to tell us who should be considered for a particular Award. That's the essence of the nomination. We respect people's opinion and we are open to any form of criticism.'' Said Ambassador Egwu
The African Achievers Award ceremony is organised by the Institute of Leadership and Management with the aim of recognising excellent African individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves while contributing to the growth and development of Africa.
In 2012 the African Achievers Annual Award ceremony was hosted by King's College London. Award recipients in 2012 included; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was awarded in recognition of his fight for Human Rights, Justice and Peace; Rt. Hon. Joyce Banda, President of Malawi, in recognition of her Excellence in Leadership; Hon. Thokhozani Khupe (former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, in recognition of her Women Empowerment effort; Justina Mutale of Zambia as African Woman of the Year in recognition of her Service to the Community and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Governor of Lagos; amongst many others.
The second edition of African Achievers Awards were held at the Hilton Hotels, Nairobi, Kenya on February 23, 2013, under the theme, “The Future is Africa”. Recipients of the 2013 African Achievers Awards included the Late Prof. Atta Mills, former President of Ghana, who was honoured with a Posthumous Award for Excellence in Leadership. Other recipients included; Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, former Secretary-General of OPEC, who received the Life Time Achievement Award; Ugandan Dr. Margaret Blick Kigozi won the Special Recognition for Excellence; Sir Chukwuemeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria; and Mrs. Divine Ndhlukula, a Zimbabwean businesswoman who won the African Woman of the Year 2013.
Others nominated in the 2014 Awards include Nana Rawlings, former First Lady of Ghana; The Mandela Foundation; Mr Hafis Ruefli, National President of Cameroonian Citizens Council; Ibrahim Nasko, Chairman HMG Group Ltd and several other outstanding African personalities in Africa and the African Diaspora.
“The focus of the ceremony is to motivate all African leaders, including prospective leaders and the youth by recognizing individuals and organizations that have contributed remarkably to the development of Africa”. Says Justina Mutale, African Woman of the Year 2012 and Advisory Board Member of the African Achievers Awards.
The Annual African Achievers Award ceremony enjoys extensive press coverage around Africa and overseas, including CNN, MNET, Good Morning Africa on DSTV, BEN TV, Afro Gossip TV and many others.