In a continent of over 1.2 Billion people, they have stood out. These group of individuals have elevated and redefined benchmarks for accessing performance in the continent. More importantly, they are committed to sustaining the “African Dream” – they are the nominees for African of the Year category in the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year award. The nominees are: 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.
This year’s edition, which is the 6th in the series features 7 categories, including 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; African 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 center 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 group 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 5thJanuary 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; H.E. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria 2013; H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete, immediate past President of Tanzania, 2014; His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, immediate past President of Nigeria, 2015; Mr. Mo Dewji, CEO MeTL Group Tanzania, 2016 .
ABOUT AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE
The African Leadership magazine is published by African Leadership (UK) Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom (Company No. 07435198). 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. Since its maiden edition, African Leadership Magazine has grown to become a leading pan-African flagship leadership-focused publication read by over 480, 000 targeted international investors, business executives, government policy makers and multilateral agencies across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Europe, and the US. It is distributed at major international and African Leadership events around the world. The magazine has over 800,000 fans on Facebook and a virile readership on other social media platforms.
See full list of nominees below.
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- African of the Year 2017 (Previously Person of the Year)
This recognition is open to an African whose actions have greatly impacted the continent positively in the year under review and helped shape his or her immediate society and continues to inspire globally.
- 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.
- 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 academic whose research or policy has contributed in shaping his or her country’s economic growth and development.
- ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Employment Generation
This recognition is open to an African, whose actions, policies and business have helped in creating jobs for Africans in the year under review.
- ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Political Leadership
This recognition is open to an African, whose contribution has immensely contributed to deepening democracy and democratic values in the continent.
- ALM Person of the Year 2017 – Philanthropy & Charitable Contributions to Society
This recognition is open to an African, who has given more to support a charitable cause, social justice and promote social good.
- ALM Young Person of the Year 2017
Criteria: 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
