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 James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Mr Kyari is being charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits to conceal the origin of some properties.
The court in its judgment held that the NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove its case against the defendants, which is mostly the non-declaration of land properties.
Justice Omotosho noted that proving ownership of landed properties can be done through traditional history, title, acts of possession and possession by connection.
The prosecution did not provide any of these documents to show that the said properties located in Fountain Estate, Kasana, which belong to Ramatu Kyari, are truly owned by the police officer.
Also, the court held that the prosecution did not provide the same material evidence linking Mr Kyari to properties in Linda Choko Road, Asokoro and also Maiduguri in Borno State.
Mr Kyari, in his defense said the properties in Borno belonged to his father, which he left for him and his siblings.
It was judged that the prosecution did not prove otherwise, adding that the prosecution charged Mr Kyari’s brothers in bad faith for alleged conspiracy, which they failed to prove.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chief executive of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Mr Emmanuel Analike, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
The suspect appeared before Justice Suleiman Liman on Wednesday over allegations bordering on copyright infringement.
He was accused by the NCC of using his online platform to make movies and others not belonging to him available for users to download on the internet.
According to the agency, Mr Analike has infringed copies of audio-visual materials distributed online via his website for online users. Netnaija is an online movie and music download site.
The prosecution counsel, Ms Gladys Isaac-Ojo, who works with the NCC, told the court that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.
However, Mr Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, prompting his counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, seek his bail.
The lawyer informed the court that the application was filed on Monday and supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.
But the judge refused to give a bench ruling and adjourned the ruling of the bail application to Monday, March 9, 2026, ordering the remand of the Netnaija chief in Kuje Correctional Centre.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Entries for the 2026 edition of the world’s largest green business ideas competition, ClimateLaunchpad, have opened.
In 2025, the programme, organised by Climate KIC, received over 2,700 applications from 40 countries. The winning ventures gain prize money, investor connections, and access to a global cleantech network.
This year’s edition is expected to be bigger and better, with climate innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world given the opportunity to apply.
Since its inception in 2014, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 ideas across 97 countries, and this year, it is expanding its presence in Asia with Singapore hosting both the regional final and global grand final for the first time.
Participants move through several stages, including an initial mini-course to refine the concept, an intensive multi-day Boot Camp led by expert trainers, targeted coaching to perfect value propositions and investor pitches, national and regional finals, and a place at the global grand final, with prizes and access to a global climate network.
“Strengthening ClimateLaunchpad’s presence in Asia marks a profound new chapter for this programme and for the climate innovation movement more broadly. Asia is where so much of the world’s climate and nature future will be shaped, through business leadership, public-private partnerships and long-term strategic thinking,” the chief executive of Climate KIC, Kirsten Dunlop, stated.
“We look forward to supporting this momentum with new business ideas and innovation ecosystem collaborations across more than a dozen countries.
“This expansion opens space for deeper cross-cultural connections and for first-time founders to turn sparks of imagination into solutions that serve both people and planet,” Dunlop added.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Better Earth Ventures, Ms Rebecca Sharpe, said, “We are proud to host ClimateLaunchpad’s regional and global grand final in Singapore and to convene an international group of climate entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries.
“Climate solutions are emerging from every corner of the world, and bringing them together creates the kind of cross-border exchange and collaboration this moment demands. Our focus is to ensure early-stage founders have the structure, ecosystem access and support needed to move from idea to credible impact.”
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