President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime African Achievement award by the Millennium Excellence Foundation in Ghana, marking a significant recognition of his contributions to the continent, okaynews.com reports.
The award was presented during the foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, where Tinubu was represented by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
In his acceptance speech, delivered by Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Tinubu expressed profound gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and patron of the foundation, for the honour and for the successful organisation of the event. He highlighted the importance of the Millennium Excellence Foundation’s mission, stating, “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.”
Tinubu praised the foundation for recognising and celebrating Africa’s “shining lights,” referencing past honourees such as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Dr. Mo Ibrahim. He encouraged Africa’s youth to take up the mantle of leadership and contribute to a united, peaceful, and prosperous continent, especially in fields like science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
He further called for continued collaboration among Africans to shape a shared destiny and urged the foundation to persist in inspiring excellence and investing in the youth. Tinubu noted, “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.”
Other Nigerians honoured at the event included Dr. Benedict Oramah, President of AFREXIM Bank, who received the Global Intra-Africa Trade Excellence award; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, awarded for Governance and Public Service; Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, recognised for African Excellence in Business; and Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, honoured for African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence.
