President Bola Tinubu has been conferred with the prestigious Lifetime African Achievement Award by the Ghana-based Millennium Excellence Foundation, according to a report by NAN on Monday.
During the award ceremony, Tinubu extended his appreciation to the Foundation’s patron, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, for the warm invitation and the successful execution of the event.
Represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Tinubu accepted the honour as the special guest during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Millennium Excellence Prize, held in Kumasi, Ghana.
Tinubu remarked, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and also celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work. Specifically, the organisers for identifying and celebrating Africa’s shining lights, individuals whose lives and work had lifted the continent and inspired generations. It is no small achievement to have honoured such illustrious figures as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Mo Ibrahim, among others.”
He encouraged African youth to step forward boldly and contribute meaningfully to building a continent that is more peaceful, united, and prosperous. He stressed the importance of engagement in fields like science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
Tinubu also urged Africans to collaborate more closely in shaping a collective future, and he called on the organisers to keep promoting excellence, advancing leadership rooted in service, and investing in young people to strengthen cross-border unity.
He added, “The award ceremony, from inception in 1988, remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent. Its mission of identifying, celebrating and supporting those who had distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonated deeply with the aspirations of Nigeria and indeed, all African nations.”
At the event, other notable honourees included Dr. Benedict Oramah, President/Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), who received the Global Intra-African Trade Excellence award; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, honoured for Governance and Public Service; Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, Founder/Chairman of BUA Group, who was awarded for Excellence in Business; and Mr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who received recognition for African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence.
What you should know
President Bola Tinubu received the Lifetime African Achievement award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the continent, joining a distinguished list of past honourees celebrated for advancing Africa’s development and unity.
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