General
Buhari, Saraki, Atiku, Elumelu, Others for African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year 2017
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s President, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, has been nominated for the annual African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards 2017.
Mr Buhari is among the six Presidents nominated for this year’s edition of the awards. The others are Mr Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Mr John Magafuli of Tanzania, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.
The African Leadership magazine is published by African Leadership (UK) Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom.
The magazine focuses on bringing the best of Africa to a global audience, telling the African story from an African perspective; while evolving solutions to peculiar challenges being faced by the continent today.
This year’s edition, which is the 6th in the series features 7 categories, including, African of the Year 2017; African Female Leader of the Year 2017; ALM Person of the Year-Educational development 2017; ALM Person of the Year- Employment Generation 2017; ALM Person of the Year-Political Leadership 2017; ALM Person of the Year- Philanthropy 2017; and ALM Young Person of the Year 2017.
As in previous editions, this year’s nominees passed through a thorough vetting process, which includes the selection from a long list of over 250 outstanding individuals who have contributed to the continent’s progress in the year under review.
Remarkably, this year, African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year was consigned to three themes – which are jobs & wealth creation, Promotion of Democratic Values; & the promotion of Africa’s image abroad.
With Africa’s population tipped to double by the year 2050, and unemployment at the centre of the problems confronting the continent, jobs and wealth creators deserve to be especially encouraged and supported.
In selecting the nominees for this year, the selection committee took a keen interest in Africans whose activities, policies and actions have contributed to creating jobs and spreading wealth; promoting democratic values; and / or promoting Africa’s image abroad. And then, of course, we add in a dose of our editorial judgment.
In announcing the shortlist of nominees, Publisher of the Magazine, Ken Giami stated that “Africans have continued to break and set new boundaries, making the selection a lot more interesting, albeit, herculean.”
Dr Giami added that “some African leaders have become increasingly restless, leaving nothing to chance on their journey to make their communities a better place.
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award is in keeping with our tradition of presenting the sides of the continent, which hardly finds placement on the global mainstream media, and celebrating exemplary leadership and individuals who have contributed to shaping the global perception of the African continent. These groups of Africans are the Game-Changers, who are doing things differently towards re-positioning the African continent.
The winners of the 2017 Persons of the Year Award would be announced on January 5, 2018, by 2.00pm Central African time, and would be formally decorated, alongside the nominees, on 24 February 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa at an investiture and Gala to be attended by some of Africa’s finest in business, politics, and diplomacy.
Past recipients of this prestigious award include: Dr Mo Ibrahim, founder, Ibrahim Prize for Leadership, 2012; Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria 2013; President Jakaya Kikwete, immediate past President of Tanzania, 2014; Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, immediate past President of Nigeria, 2015; and Mr Mo Dewji, CEO MeTL Group Tanzania, 2016.
See full list of nominees below:
African of the Year 2017 (Previously Person of the Year)
This recognition is open to an African whose actions has greatly impacted the continent positively in the year under review and helped shape his or her immediate society and continues to inspire globally.
- Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, President of Ghana
- Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holding
- Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
- John Pombe Magufuli, President of Tanzania
- Cyril Ramaphosa, Executive Chairman, Shanduka Group
- Chief Oladipo Jadesimi, Chairman LADOL, Nigeria
African Female Leader of the Year 2017
This recognition is open to an African woman who has defied the odds, risen above the patriarchal systems in the continent to positively affect the continent or influence women to aspire for excellence in various fields.
- Bethlehem Alemu
- Linah Mohohlo (Botswana) Governor, Bank Of Botswana
- Bridgette Radebe (South Africa) Founder And Chairman Mmakau
- Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita (South Africa) Ceo Arcelormittal
- Mamphele Ramphele (South Africa) Ceo Circle Capital Partners
- Susan Mashibe (Tanzania) Founder And Executive Director Tanjet Aviation
- Magatte Wade (Senegal) Ceo, Adina World Beat Beverages
ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Educational Development
This recognition is open to an African, whose contribution to the growth of education and deepening knowledge has been second to none in the year under review. It is also reserved for a member of the academia whose research or policy has contributed in shaping his or her country’s economic growth and development
- Are Afe Babalola, Afe Babalola University
- Strive Masiyiwa, Chairman ECONET
- Prof. Admola Tayo, Vice Chancellor, Babcock University
- Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership University
ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Employment Generation
This recognition is open to an African, whose actions, policies and business has helped in creating jobs for Africans in the year under review
- Atiku Abubakar
- Sam Jonah, CEO Jonah Capital
- Marius Kloppers CEO, BHP Billiton
- Brian Joffe, CEO, Bidvest Group
- Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi, Chairman MIDROC Ethiopia Investment Group
- Kwame Nana Bediako,Businessman, Ghana
ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Political Leadership
This recognition is open to an African, whose contribution has immensely contributed in deepening democracy and democratic values in the continent.
- Julius Malema
- Uhuru Kenyatta
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
- Marc Ravalomanana, Former President of Madagascar
- Bukola Saraki, Nigeria President of the Senate
ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Philanthropy & Charitable Contributions to Society
This recognition is open to an African, who has given more to support charitable cause, social justice and promote social good.
- Manu Chandaria Chairman, Comcraft Group
- TY Danjuma
- Naushad Merali – Sameer Group
- Ashish J. Thakkar – Mara Group
- Francios Van Niekerk – Mertech Group
- Mohammed Indimi
- Tony Elumelu
ALM Young Person of the Year 2017
Must be between the ages of 18-38; Young persons of African descent, making a difference globally via diverse sectors such as business, IT, entertainment, sports etc, remaining a positive role model and re-defining creativity, resilience; hard work and ingenuity of the continent’s young people
- Ory Okolloh, Position: Director of Investments at Omidyar Network
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Footballer, Gabon,
- Nasir Yammama, IT Guru, Nigeria
- Joel Macharia, Financial Services, Kenya,
- Davido, Musician, Nigeria
6. Fahad Awadh, Agro-processing, Tanzania
By Adedapo Adesanya
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to a Lagos socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, and her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, to the federal government of Nigeria.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established that the foreign currency was proceeds of fraud and unlawful activities.
The judge further held that Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited failed to establish how it came by the money, saying the anti-money laundering agency satisfied all requirements for the funds to be classified as proceeds of fraud and to be forfeited to the appropriate authority.
He dismissed the claims that the $13 million was gifts received into the Oceangate Engineering Company by Ms Achimugu, adding that the woman never came to the court to show cause why the huge amount of money should not be forfeited to the government.
He held that no single person who gave the monetary gift to Aisha Achimugu to the tune of $13 million was called to testify.
The judge further held that the burden to establish genuine ownership of the money was not established by the applicant to counter the claims of the anti- graft agency that the money was the proceeds of fraud based on its investigation.
According to the judge, Oceangate Engineering Company did not show the business it undertook that fetched it the money, nor did it show whether any payment was made to it by any of its customers.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the Federal Government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has inaugurated a 17-member Planning Committee to coordinate the National Flag-Off of the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) Initiative, a flagship programme aimed at transforming research outputs into economic value.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to convert Nigeria’s vast research and innovation outputs into market-ready products, scalable enterprises, and job-creating opportunities.
He noted that ECoN will mobilise stakeholders nationwide to identify bankable innovations and accelerate their transition from laboratories to the marketplace, stressing that the country must move beyond theoretical research to practical solutions that drive industrial growth and national prosperity.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, had earlier briefed the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, on the initiative and proposed her as a champion of the programme, with the national flag-off scheduled for Kano State.
He explained that Kano was deliberately selected due to its historic role as a commercial and industrial hub, offering strong potential to attract investment, stimulate enterprise, and create jobs.
The Committee is chaired by the Minister, with the Permanent Secretary as Co-Chairman, while the Director-General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, NBRDA, and the Director-General, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, SHESTCO, serve as Alternate Chairmen.
Members include Professor Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Dr Jummai Adamu, Dr (Mrs) Obiageli Amadiobi, Dr Kabiru Mu’azu, Dr Anwal Mustapha, Engr Ibiam Oguejiofo, Mr Moses Fatogun, Mr Adamu Sulaiman (a representative of SMEDAN), Dr Prince Lawrence Eze, Mr Sani Garba, Dr Muhammad Mustapha, Dr Chioma Okeke, Mr Luther Onyemkpa, Mr Charles Egumgbe, and Dr Nwankwo Nnenna serving as Secretary.
The national flag-off is proposed for late April or early May 2026, subject to Presidential approval.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to positioning innovation as a key driver of economic diversification and sustainable development, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Switzerland-headquartered global shipping giant, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has complied with the directive of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to suspend the implementation of its new tariff pending consultations with stakeholders.
In a customer advisory titled Temporary Suspension of New Tariff Implementation, the shipping line stated that the tariff regime in place before the recent increase would remain effective until further notice.
Business Post reported a few days ago that freight forwarders picketed the offices of MSC, protesting the recent increase in shipping line tariffs. They blocked the regulators from accessing the MSC premises to address the matter.
Despite the protests, the council’s attempt to engage the aggrieved freight forwarders in discussions was resisted, as the protesters insisted that there was no basis for dialogue and vowed to continue the protest until the increased charges were immediately reversed.
In the latest directive, the shipping company said, “We wish to inform our esteemed customers that the recently implemented tariff adjustment has been temporarily suspended, following a directive from the NSC. This suspension is pending the conclusion of ongoing engagements and resolution with the regulator.”
“Accordingly, the tariff regime applicable prior to the recent increase will remain in force until further notice, as mandated.”
The company further assured customers that updates would be communicated once a final decision is reached by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
“We remain fully committed to regulatory compliance, transparency, and protecting the interests of our customers. Further updates will be communicated promptly once a definitive position is issued by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. We appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation,” the advisory added.
NSC had warned that prolonged industrial disputes within the maritime sector could disrupt port operations and negatively impact trade and economic activities.
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