IN recognition of their excellence in various regards, the chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Dr (Mrs) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; renowned historian, Professor Bolanle Awe; women rights activist, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and the renowned African culture exponent, Mr Tunde Kelani, on Tuesday received different awards at the Ninth Toyin Falola Annual International Conference (TOFAC).
While Awolowo Dosumu received the Kwame Nkrumah Award for service to pan-Africanism and commitment to African unity and development, Awe was honoured with the Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist award for her promotion of the freedom and rights of Africans.
At the event held at Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Okei-Odumakin got the Funmilayo Ransome Kuti prize for distinguished public activism and service towards the welfare of the voiceless and women in society, while Kelani took home the Leopold Sedar Senghor prize for African cultural creativity and impact through his numerous artworks.
Also awarded were two academics, Professor Olukoya Ogen, who received the Ali Mazrui award for excellence in scholarship with his various scholarly works advancing Africa’s cause in the committee of nations and Professor James Makinde, who bagged the Thabo Mbeki Award for excellence in leadership, having shown outstanding leadership quality and commitment to African renaissance and unity.
Speaking on behalf of all awardees, Okei-Odumakin restated her call on the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to be more responsible to the security of Nigerians and particularly secure the release of Leah Sharibu.
Though Sharibu’s days in captivity keep counting, Okei-Odumakin said the government must not give up on getting Sharibu and other Nigerians in captivity released.
She stressed that the Buhari-led government must impress it on Boko Haram to set free all in their custody.
Speaking after receiving her award, Awolowo Dosumu described as sad, the fact that Nigeria and several other countries in Africa still can not boast of good leadership that will bring about good governance.
For a more developed continent, Awolowo Dosumu stressed that leaders of government must give more attention to human capital development, education, health, infrastructure and the economy.
Speaking in the same vein, the chairman of the dinner, Fuankem Achankeng, said African leaders could only be considered great if they began to repair the culture of decay that pervades the continent.
The list of guests at the dinner and awards ceremony also included the vice-chancellor, Babcock University, Professor Ademola Tayo; the honoree, Professor Toyin Falola; board chair, TOFAC, Professor Ademola Dasylva; chairman, Governing Council, Lead City University, Ibadan, Professor Jide Owoeye; co-founder, Gender and African Studies Group, Babcock University, Dr Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso.