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03.04.2015 Diaspora News

African Achievers Awards Holds Annual International Summit/Honours at UK House of Parliament

By Akpah Prince
African Achievers Awards Holds Annual International SummitHonours at UK House of Parliament
03.04.2015 LISTEN

On March 13th 2015, the African Achievers Awards held their Annual Summit and Honours at Porticullis House, The house of Parliament, Westminster London. The focus of the summit was Investment in Africa, as a means to sustainable development in Africa. The summit brought together notable and respected Africans and some Britons who came together to discus this all-important subject.

The summit was introduced by its Host Sir Gerald Kaufman, MP for Manchester, Gorton, who expressed that Investment in Africa was a very 'important issue'. He mentioned his great nostalgia about Africa and why he was honored to be hosting the cream de la cream of Africans at the parliament today. He agreed that the time was right to bring the issues of trade and economic co-operation to the front burner of discussions today; he wished for a rich and robust deliberation and then congratulated the men and women who are being honored at the occasion.

The Principal Partner of the African Achievers Awards, Tonye Rex Idaminabo welcomed guests, thanked the host of the day Sir Kaufman and also highlighted the reasons for the summit as well as Announcing VIP Express as the official Partner for the 2015 AAA.

Amongst some of the attendees where Mrs Debbie Ariyo, OBE a recognised activist against child trafficking and traditional practices of genital mutilation, Dr Ife Akintunde (International Conference Of Nigerian Students) Mr. Ahmed Adamu, Common Wealth Youth Council President and CEO of Ben TV. The event was streamed live on Ben TV. Mr. Ahmed Adamu lead the discussion youth empowerment and its role in promoting sustainable development in Africa concluding that youth empowerment was an area that we as individuals should be looking at investing in. Mr Adamu also expressed that Farming and Education are the most underdeveloped sectors in many African countries; he submitted that corporations are keen to invest if the conditions were right. Mrs Pauline Longe made her contribution focusing on Youth Empowerment, arguing that it was important to pass on wisdom to the youth considering that they formed about '70 percent of Africa's population. Dr Ife Akintunde pointed out that 10-15 Percent of populations in Nigeria are disabled people. He described the lacuna of disconnect between disability and employment, he ended with a call to urgently bridge this gap as Africa cannot afford to ignore 15% of her population. Ambassador David Egwu in his reflections opined that if we must advance in development, as a Continent, we must emphasize on small businesses and SMEs in the finance and business sector in Africa. Other Speakers Includes; Alistair Soyode who spoke on the Media as a tool for development, Mr Tokunbo Olorundami, he traced the history of the African Achievers Awards and the need to encourage Africans who are doing well around the globe. He went on to call for nominations for the Awards in South Africa in July 2015. Miss Kadijah Sessay summed up the summit with the Introductions of the Economic and Social-Growth committee for Africa; an initiative of African Achievers Awards, which seeks to build a think tank of multidisciplinary expert who will constantly serve as a fall back wisdom and solution bank for African leaders. Miss Yinka Alli Balogun brought the evening to a close with note of thanks.

The High point of the ceremony was the Honour bestowed on some 100 Africans Making a Difference. Among those recognized are Ribi Adeshokan

Who is the Founder Nigeria Racing Eagle/CEO GRC Motorsport He was honoured for his contribution to the future and development of Africa through Motorsport. In the past, Ribi was interviewed on CNN concerning the Nigerian Racing Eagle.

Other Honorees include, Justina Mutale Founder of the Positive Runway & Advisory board Member of the World Leaders Forum Dubai, Kate Anolue former Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield and Founder of the Forum for African Women in Politics (FWAP) , DR ALISTAIR SOYODE CEO Ben Tv London, CHARLOTTE SIMONS (Democratic Republic of Congo) is the Founder & CEO of Mothers of Congo, CLLR AMINU Mayor of the London Borough of Lambeth. , PRICILIA NWIKPO, GIBRIL FAAL Chairperson of the AFFORD, PAULINE LONG (Kenya) Founder & CEO of the BEFFTA Awards, WILLY NSUBUGA M'TENZA Founder & CEO of the Uganda Business Convention and Publisher of the Promota, Ahmed Adamu Chairperson of the Common wealth Youth Council ANNA VANDERPUYE OWUNNE is the CEO of African Business Roundtable (incorporating the NEPAD Business Group) UK Chapter, WASHINGTON KAPAPIRO (Zimbabwe), Chairperson of the Association of African Owned Enterprises.

PEREZ OCHIENG (Kenya) is the Founder & CEO of Saharan Communities Abroad (SACOMA)

SAM ONIGBANJO (Nigeria) Business Consultant and Founder & CEO of Women4Africa and Others.

Nominations are now open for the 2015 African Achievers Awards. Host Country South Africa. For more information kindly visit www.africanachieversawards.org .

Akpah Prince
[email protected]

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