In support of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent, MIPAD, a civil society initiative that celebrates high achievers of African descent, has officially launched in Nigeria.
The initiative also unveiled the global list of most influential people of African descent, honouring 100 under-40 people of African descent who are making global impact.
The honourees in the categories of Politics and Governance across Africa include: Mark Okoye, commissioner for economic planning/budget development, Anambra State, Nigeria; Wael Ghonim, political activist, Egypt; Boglo Kenewendo, economist/consultant/member of parliament, Botswana; Aurthur Kalala Katalayi, advisor/ambassador/businessman from Democratic Republic of Congo; Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, national spokesman for Economic Freedom Fighters, South Africa, among others.
Others in Politics and Governance category for African Diasporas include: Chuka Harrison Umunna, member of parliament, United Kingdom; David S. Wilson, senator, politician, United States of America; Paula Marcel Moreno Zapata, engineer, professor and former minister of culture, Colombia, among others.
The event coincided with the UN commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The event, which took place in Lagos over the weekend, brought in attendance Abike Dabiri, senior special assistant to the President on foreign affairs and diaspora, as special guest of honour, among others dignitaries like Folusho Philips, founder, Philips Consulting.
”We are excited about the turnout today. It is the first time this is happening in Africa and this is a special milestone for us. The MIPAD are not just people on this but every African making change out there,” Kamil Olofowobi, founder, MIPAD, said.
Speaking at the event, Abike Dabiri said the MIPAD initiative was important in order to tell the stories of Africa by Africans themselves, saying, ”We all have responsibility as Africans to put Africa first in all we that we do. The Africans in the Diaspora is the secret weapon of Africa.” ”We all have responsibility as Africans to put Africa first in all we do. The Africans in the Diaspora is the secret weapon of Africa. We have to change the narrative of the 3Ds – Death, Despair and Disease that Africa is known for worldwide”.
She called for a synergy between Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerians at home, as well as, Africans in diaspora and Africans at home to elevate the continent to greater heights.
Also speaking, Folusho Philips commended MIPAD for the initiative, saying, ”There is need to celebrate people when they are alive and not when they are gone, to encourage others to do better.” He stressed the need to preserve the human legacies of past African achievers, and congratulated the United Nations for passing the resolution 62/122 that recognized the International Day of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade.
For Abasiama Idaresit, CEO, Africa Wild Fusion, the MIPAD award is intended to galvanize the honourees into coming together to create opportunities for Africans in order to help solve the numerous problems of the continent.
The award dinner in honour of MIPAD Class of 2017 is slated for September 26, 2017 in New York City, USA, following the closing of the UN General Assembly. Former US President Barrack Obama and current UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, are expected to attend as keynote speakers.
