FOR HIS UNCOMMON AND EXTRAORDINARY LOVE FOR HUMANITY, EMMA NJOKU RECIEVES AN AWARD FROMM ONE THE MOST RESPECTED BODIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
By Ugonna Anejionu
African business and political leaders and the whole world stood still Friday, July 14 for the 13th edition of the annual AFRICAN ACHIEVERS’ AWARD. Event held at the House of parliament, the palace of Westminster, United kingdom England.
It was hosted by the Rt Hon Simon Woolley of Woodford, member of the house of lords, Lord Temporal. He is also a British politician, activist and the founder and director of Operation black vote and trustee of the Charity Police now. He is also the black principal of the Homerton college, cambridge university. Woolley has been a cross bench member of the house of lords since 2019.
The African ACHIEVERS AWARD focuses on Africans and the African continent and has remained one of theost.prestifious awards.
It is a platform.where exceptional Africans are recognised for their contributions to the growth and development of Africa.
The African ACHIEVERS AWARD, AAA is headquartered at 52 Sprouse LN, Lynchburg Virginia, 24502, United States of America.
It was created in 2010 and has become one of the most reputable awarding bodies on the African continent and also one of the biggest annual gatherings of influential African ACHIEVERS globally.
Theme of this year’s international summit and awards ceremony is “Unlocking sustainable Trade and investment opportunities in Africa – PPP approach.
In defence of this year’s theme, Barrister Rex Idaminabo reiterated the importance of addressing the challenges in Africa to work towards a prosperous, equitable and sustainable future in Africa.
Over the years, the award event has honoured and celebrated great African African trailblazers whose works have had a meaningful impact on the development of Africa.
It was created to simply celebrate and honor exceptional young achievers, passionate and dedicated community builders and captains of industries.
Ambassador Barr. Emmanuel Njoku is one of such reputable Africans who have left huge legacies in their trail in terms of philanthropy, education, health and human capital development.
He was recognised at the event alongside other notable and eminent Africans including Bill Rogers, a former Liberia international Track athlete and Chief executive officer, CEO of Bill Rogers Youth Foundation (BRYF), who promised to promote peace and tranquility among librarians as the country gears up for its October 10th general and presidential elections.
Others include Prof Victor Mbarika, founder and president, Board of trustees of the information and communication technology university, Dennis Nghikevali of the institute of chartered accountants of Namibia, Lady Josephine Nwaeze, MD/CEO, News engineering Nigeria limited, Dr Owen D. Omogiafo, Dr Dummy Smart Francis, Ichechi Chinarhu Okonkwo, His Excellency, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President, Sierra Leone among others.
Judges for the 2023 AAA are former president of Mauritius, His Excellency Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib Fakim, cabinet member for community safety, Dr Susan Jumoke Fajan – Thomas Obe, Dcl, Chairperson AAA and former Trade Adviser om infrastructure Trade(DIT) of the British High commission im Ghana, Selork Kofi Fake. Others are founders of Wintrade global, Dr Yvonne Thompson, CBE, FRSA, Deputy lieutenant for the king for greater London and Dr Rex Idaminabo, DRSA, a lawyer and reputation management expert and serial entrepreneur recognized by Forbes and Advance media.
In the past, great Africans like the late Emeritus Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, His Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini – Zuma, Dr Josephine Ojiambo, former Deputy secretary General of the commonwealth, Dr Margaret Block Kigozi, former executive Director at the Ugandan sports Authority and currently works as a consultant at the united nations industrial organization, (UNIDO). Others are Divine Ndikhuluka, former chairperson, Zimbabwe chamber of commerce, Late Prof Attach Mills, former president of Ghana, MO Abudu, CEO, Ebony life television, late Rilwan Lukeman, former secretary General, OPEC, the Kofi Annan foundation, Nadeen Abdul Juma Issack whose stage name is Diamond Platnumz amongst others.
Speaking to.jiurnalists after the event, Amb Emma Njoku, who was accompanied by his family members led by his wife, Mrs Justina Njoku appreciated the organizers for finding him worthy of nomination and dedicated the award to all Africans who have been committed to positively changing the face of Africa. He called on other privileged Africans to think of ways to make more positive impacts in Africa so as to position Africans to compete effectively with people from.other continents of the world.
Over the years, Amb Emma Njoku, who hails from Aboh Mbaise local government of Imo state Nigeria has been engaged and emershed in unimaginable philanthropy and dedication to a better life of not only Nigerians but Africans at large. This he has achieved through his Emma Njoku foundation which seems an Africa where primary healthcare and education of every child is provided a d rural people live dignified, productive and prosperous lives.
The organization also works towards providing a credible hub for humanitarian interventions in Africa by guaranteeing health and education support for every child and ensuring that rural people live in dignity and prosperity.
On the strength of this objectives, the foundation has undertook several mind blowing projects including free medical treatments, periodic sponsorship of foreign medical missions, scholarships to over 5000 indigent student, construction and renovation of over 200 classroom blocks and also creating employment opportunities to many youths in Nigeria.
By these, he has distinguished himself in the areas of philanthropy and human capital development and have established himself as an individual with a massive and undiluted love for humanity.
Another very breathtaking adventure of the foundation is the construction of the Aba Branch – Ekwerazu – Aboh – Okpala road using ashphalt. This road which belongs to the state was so dilapidated that commuters on the road passed through untold hardship and at a time used an alternate road to get to the popular Aba branch linking Okigwe and Enugu and also Okpala linking Aba and Rivers State.
The economic importance of this road made it so strategic that baskets of praises and blessings were poured ceaselessly on the Ambassador for his intervention and initiative in doing a state road that was apparently abandoned by the state government. That road is over 100 kilometers.
On the other hand, the foundation also launched another initiative called the FRIENDS OF THE BRAIN CLUB.
Friends of the brain club was created to raise awareness about mental health and the need to encourage positive disposition without stigmatisation and labelling in supporting those with mental health issues.
The friends of the brain club was launched as a mental health advocasy group domiciled in both secondary and tertiary institutions.
This initiative was endorsed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA as NDLEA WADA advocate in Rivers State Nigeria.
The endorsement was made public by the Deputy state commander of NDLEA in the state, Mark -Balm Iduama, DCN who represented the director of the organization, Brigadier General M.B Marwa.
The chief medical director of the university of Porth Harcourt teaching hospital, Prof Henry Ugboma represented the Honourable minister for health, Dr E. Osagie Ehanire who declared the event open.
Amb Emma Njoku hasrecieved numerous national and international awards for his unique and uncommon philanthropy and love for mankind including one by Verbatim magazine who cindered on him the HEART OF GOLD award.
