The LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards 2024 has unveiled Olori Ivie Atuwatse III of Warri Kingdom and 25 other individuals and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to governance, business, social impact, and public service in Nigeria. The award ceremony, set to take place this year, will celebrate these trailblazers for their outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to national development.
Her Royal Majesty, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen of the Warri Kingdom, is a distinguished advocate for social impact, philanthropy, and community development. A trained lawyer and a visionary leader, she has dedicated her life to empowering women, children, and vulnerable communities through transformative initiatives in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
In honour of her late father, she established the Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo STEM Innovation Centre, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing quality STEM education to underprivileged children in Delta State. Further demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian service, she launched the Wuwu Ore medical and welfare outreach in December 2021, delivering free healthcare services to women, children, and the elderly in remote communities.
Olori Atuwatse III’s unwavering dedication to education is exemplified in her scholarship programs, through which she has supported hundreds of children, with a particular focus on the empowerment of the girl-child. Notably, in 2022, she awarded scholarships to 100 students from Nana Model Girls College in Warri, giving them access to better educational opportunities. Beyond education, she has been instrumental in intervention programs for impoverished communities such as Ureju and Iyara, addressing critical issues like environmental degradation and lack of basic infrastructure.
In recognition of her tireless efforts in championing education, healthcare, and social impact initiatives, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III is honoured with the Social Impact Person of the Year Award. Her remarkable contributions continue to uplift countless lives and serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
Aliko Dangote Named Person Of The Year
Alhaji Aliko Mohammad Dangote, Nigeria’s foremost industrialist and philanthropist, is set to receive the coveted Person of the Year award. His immense contributions to the nation’s economy and his philanthropic efforts make him a deserving recipient of this highest honour at the awards.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike, will receive the Quinquennial Award for Outstanding Person in Governance and Infrastructure, recognising his transformative leadership in infrastructure development.
Governors And Politicians Recognised For Leadership
In the Governor of the Year category, multiple winners will be celebrated for their transformative leadership, including Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom); Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah (Enugu);Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano); Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Mallam Umar A. Namadi (Jigawa), Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. and Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke (Osun) . These leaders are recognised for driving sustainable growth, infrastructural development, and policy innovations that benefit their communities.
The Politician of the Year award will go to Adams Oshiomhole (CON), former Governor of Edo State, for his ongoing influence in Nigerian politics and his advocacy for democratic growth.
Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), Comptroller-General of Customs, will be honoured as Public Service Person of the Year for his exceptional leadership in improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS)
In business, Benedict Peters, Founder and CEO of AITEO, will be recognised as Business Person of the Year.
Other remarkable business leaders, including the managing director and chief executive officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) Bamanga Usman Jada, and the chief executive officer of NORD Automobiles Limited, Oluwatobi Ajayi, will also be honoured for their leadership in their respective industries.
AVSATEL Communications Limited is the Company of the Year, while ARCO Enginering Limited is the Oil & Gas Local Content Champion of the Year.
OPAY will be named Fintech Company of the Year for promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria, while Alternative Bank will receive the Most Innovative Bank of the Year award for its pioneering work in digital banking.
The Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2024 award will go to ENACTUS team from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. They are recognised for championing innovation and sustainability. Terra Cube will receive the Product of the Year award for its innovative solutions in sustainable living.
Minister of environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, will be honoured as Environmental Impact Person of the Year for his leadership in advancing environmental policies and addressing climate change.
