Friday, August 31, 2018 was a day to remember for the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) as they hosted some of the 2018 honourees to a reception and closing Gong Ceremony at the Nigerian Stock Exchange tagged “Celebration of Excellence”.
In attendance was the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) Ambassador in the person of H.E Namadi Sambo (GCON, FNIA)., the CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Oscar Onyema (OON) and other dignitaries from the government and private sector.
The event began with a formal introduction of all honourees by the Civil Society Lead MIPAD Kamil Olufowobi, who applauded the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the African Export-Import Bank –Afrexim bank for their support in making the ceremony a reality.
In his opening address he emphasized the objectives of MIPAD and how it seeks to drive active change across key sectors; Politics and Governance, Business, Media and Humanitarian endeavours.
“MIPAD is a growing Network that get more powerful every year. Our recognitions are not happenstances but targeted to articulate the valid contributions of African men and women across the globe whom we strongly believe can do more in influencing their various polities when the right alliances are formed. To be recognised by MIPAD is to be called upon to serve a greater purpose that affects the lives and opportunities of coming generations.” Civil Society Lead MIPAD Kamil Olufowobi.
The high point of the ceremony was the ringing of the closing gong by the 2017/2018 Honourees in the various categories; Politics & Governance, Business and Entrepreneurship, Media & Culture, Humanitarian&Religious. Honourees who were present for the ceremony include; The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Hadiza Bala Usman, Managing Director JP Morgan Dapo Olagunju, Chief Operating Officer BUA Group Kabiru Rabiu, CNN Africa’s Multi-Platform Correspondence Stephanie Busari, CEO of Loatsad Promo Media Seyi Tinubu, Gospel music Sensation Onos Ariyo, CEO Wild Fusion Abasiama Idaresit amongst others.
The host of the Day, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Oscar Onyema, applauded MIPAD and its Honourees. He stated thus “On behalf of the Council and Management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange we congratulate MIPAD and its Honourees for the strategic avenue to showcase the quality of work that these men and women do. The NSE is a member of the World Federation of Exchanges, a coveted position that took us 14 years to attain. It is a great badge of honour that we wear with pride because it gives us a seat at the table. We have also become an advocate for the markets and companies that are listed on the NSE for corporate social responsibility because we believe that we must give back to our communities.”
MIPAD continues to annually recognize the contributions of exceptional individuals of African descent until 2024 from inside Africa and their counterparts across the diaspora in accordance to the first pillar of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent proclaimed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/237 in 2015.
ABOUT MIPAD
Most Influential People of African Descent MIPAD a global civil society initiative in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (UN IDPAD), to be observed from 2015 – 2024, as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/237. MIPAD publishes a global 100 list that identifies high achievers of African descent worldwide and, we will be releasing the list annually until 2024 in support of UN IDPAD.
