Category: Leadership & Diplomacy

Professor Christopher Isike, the Head of Department, Politics and International Studies, University of Zululand, Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, has been elected as the first black Vice President of the South African Association of Political Studies (SAAPS) and is also the first black African to be elected into the International Political Science Association Executive Council in the last 20 years

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has appointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as a member of the international advisory panel

The founder of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc, Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest systems integration company, Austin Okere has been named Africa’s Patriotic Personality of the year 2016 by the League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa)

Distinguished comedian, I Go Dye has been conferred an ambassadorial award from the United Nations World Habitat Award of Excellence for Humanitarian & Philanthropy for his contribution towards the development of Nigeria

President of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina honours President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina with the highest national award of Madagascar

Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has become the first winner of the new prestigious $100,000 award called the Africa Food Prize

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) has announced Mariam Yinusa as the 2016 Ibrahim Leadership Fellow from Nigeria who will join the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Also, Diane Sayinzoga of Rwanda emerged a Fellow, who will join the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The programme is designed to mentor future African Leaders. The candidates, chosen from among a pool of over 1,000 applicants, will take up posts in these two multinational organisations and benefit from direct mentorship from their current leaders.

Commenting on the new Fellows, Mo Ibrahim said:

“I would like to extend my warm congratulations to our two new Ibrahim Leadership Fellows. Through the programme, the Foundation continues to develop a community of individuals who are pushing boundaries in their fields.

The Foundation is particularly proud of our former alumni who now contribute their skills and learning to benefit our continent and our people.”

Mariam Yinusa comes from the African Development Bank in Abidjan where she worked as a Senior Financial Analyst. In this capacity, she has successfully designed, appraised and task-managed development projects in over 15 African countries.

She is also a Chartered Stockbroker with several years of experience in stock markets and developing innovative financial products in emerging markets.