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The All-Africa Students Union (AASU) has honour distinguished Africans, including the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari and the Managing Director (MD) of Rokel Commercial Bank Sierra Leone Limited, Dr. Waltone E. Gilpin in recognition of their immeasurable contributions and immense support to the organisation and for positive impacts on the young people in the continent.

They were presented with the insignia of commendation by the international President of AASU, Osisiogu Enyinnaya at the weekend at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Specifically, he noted that the NNPCL GCEO was honoured by the African students “for the capitalisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, under the sterling leadership of Malam Mele Kyari”, and for making “Africa proud, being so capitalised and being a model on the continent.”

Others who were also honoured include Dr. Daysman Oyakhilome of the Loveworld Global fellowship, who is the President of the United Youth of Africa Nation (UYAN); Dr Gloria Kudi Ahmed, the National Coordinator, Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria and Director of Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, for her contribution; and Chief Charles Okechukwu Anyanwu, the Group Chairman DCL Group for his contributions to the laboratory development space.

Other are Comrade Ademola Babatunde, a 2019 presidential Candidate; Barr. Paul Edeh, the founder of the Naija Ratels Football Club, who has developed young persons over the years and has been part of sports development, not only in Nigeria but in Africa, with students falling into the bracket that are Sports-driven; Alhaji Abba Musa, the Director of Corporate Services North East Development Commission; and Dr Reuben Abati of Arise Television, among others.

The President of AASU explained that the awardees were recognised for contributing “positively to Africa’s quest for development in their various fields. And we’re doing this to encourage them to do more so that we have a better Africa.

“We hope, just like Martin Luther King Jnr said that if you’re called upon to sweep the streets, sweet the streets the same way Shakespeare composed poems”, he said.

Present at the event were the Emir of Kano, former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Nollywood Star, Chief Chinedu Ikedieze; members of the diplomatic corps, including the representatives of Moroccan Embassy in Nigeria as well as a Special Adviser to the Crown Prince of United Arab Emirates; 2023 presidential aspirant, Dr. Nicolas Philips; Reverend Tom Amenkhienan; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; former presidential aspirant, Dr Nicolas Felix; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPC Limited, Malam Mele Kyari, represented by, Folashade Adekeye, the National Coordinator, Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria and Director of Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Gloria Kudi Ahmed; 2019 presidential candidate, Comrade Ademola Babatunde Abidemi Samuel; Group Chairman DCL Group, Dr Charles Okechukwu; the Chairman of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA) and Founder of the Naija Ratels Football Club, Barr. Paul Edeh; the Director of Corporate Services North East Development Commission, Alhaji Abba Musa; former member, House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Uju; among others.