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.

1. Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, President of Ghana
2. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holding
3. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
4. John Pombe Magufuli, President of Tanzania
5. Cyril Ramaphosa, Executive Chairman, Shanduka Group
6. 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.

1. Bethlehem Alemu
2. Linah Mohohlo (Botswana) Governor, Bank Of Botswana
3. Bridgette Radebe (South Africa) Founder And Chairman Mmakau
4. Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita (South Africa) Ceo Arcelormittal
5. Mamphele Ramphele (South Africa) Ceo Circle Capital Partners
6. Susan Mashibe (Tanzania) Founder And Executive Director Tanjet Aviation
7. 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

1. Are Afe Babalola, Afe Babalola University
2. Strive Masiyiwa, Chairman ECONET
3. Prof. Admola Tayo, Vice Chancellor, Babcock University
4. 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

1. Atiku Abubakar
2. Sam Jonah, CEO Jonah Capital
3. Marius Kloppers CEO, BHP Billiton
4. Brian Joffe, CEO, Bidvest Group
5. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi, Chairman MIDROC Ethiopia Investment Group
6. 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.

1. Julius Malema
2. Uhuru Kenyatta
3. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
4. Marc Ravalomanana, Former President of Madagascar
5. 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.

1. Manu Chandaria Chairman, Comcraft Group
2. TY Danjuma
3. Naushad Merali – Sameer Group
4. Ashish J. Thakkar – Mara Group
5. Francios Van Niekerk – Mertech Group
6. Mohammed Indimi
7. 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

1. Ory Okolloh, Position: Director of Investments at Omidyar Network
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Footballer, Gabon,
3. Nasir Yammama, IT Guru, Nigeria
4. Joel Macharia, Financial Services, Kenya,
5. Davido, Musician, Nigeria

6. Fahad Awadh, Agro-processing, Tanzania