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Otedola, Okonjo-Iweala, Adesina, Enenche, Others Make List of 100 Reputable Africans

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Billionaire businessman and Chairman, Geregu Power Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola, has been named among 100 most reputable Africans for the year 2020.

Otedola was shortlisted by Reputation Poll International, a leading global reputation-management firm, among 99 other reputable Africans who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour.

The list features 47 women and 53 men from diverse sectors including; Leadership, Entertainment, Advocacy, Education and Business. The selection criteria are: Integrity, Visibility and Impact.

Among very prominent personalities that featured in the list are Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed; Nigeria’s Dr. Paul Enenche, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, South Africa’s Prof. Wiseman L. Nkuhlu, Chancellor of the University of Pretoria and Chairman of Rothschild (SA); Guinean Economist Cellou Dalein Diallo, and Cameroon’s Dr. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

The list features two African Presidents, one Vice President and policy makers on the category of governance while South Africa’s Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Ethiopia’s Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu and Nigeria’s Folorunso Alakija are featured for their works across the Globe on business.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Sierra Leone’s Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Ghana’s former Vice Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang made the list on Leadership.

The above luminaries are joined by other great Africans who are celebrated for their Social Impact, as well as Social Entrepreneurship, that are transforming businesses in Africa and affecting lives positively without controversy.

Reputation Poll, known globally for its annual ranking of the 100 Most Reputable People on Earth and Most Reputable CEOs in various countries, is also poised to announce a new set of research on 100 Most Reputable Charity Organisations on earth.

During the announcement of the list by the incoming African Chairperson of the Review and Audit Committee/Member of the Board, Ms. Beldina Auma, Chair Emeritus, World Bank Group-IMF African Society and President of SCIP-International, LLC, made mention of the Organisations’ continued focus and commitment in honouring individuals, organisations and brands that consistently impact lives positively around the world and in Africa.

Below is the complete list of those who made the list:

  1. Abdessattar Ben Moussa || President, Tunisian Human Rights League
  2. Abiy Ahmed || Prime Minister, Ethiopia
  3. Acha Leke || Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
  4. Achille Mbembe || Political Scientist
  5. Adama Gorou (Adams) || Human Potential Catalyst
  6. Agnes Kalibata || President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
  7. Akinwumi Adesina Dr. || President, African Development Bank
  8. Amadou Diaw || Founder, Forum de Saint Louis
  9. Amadou Gallo || Managing Director NBA Africa
  10. Amadou Mahtar Ba || Executive Chairman, AllAfrica Global Media Inc.
  11. Amani Abou-Zeid || Commissioner, African Union Commission
  12. Amina C. Mohamed || Cabinet Secretary, Kenya
  13. Angélique Kidjo || Musician
  14. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka || Member of Parliament, Tanzania
  15. Anne Makinda || Politician
  16. Anthony Navo Jnr || Founder, African Young Voices
  17. Arikana Chihombori Quao.Dr || Educator, Policy Leader
  18. Asha-Rose Migiro || Diplomat
  19. Ashish Thakkar || Founder Mara Group
  20. Basetsana “Bassie” Kumalo || Businesswoman.
  21. Belay Begashaw || DG, The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa
  22. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu || Entrepreneur
  23. Bineta Diop || Founder, Femmes Africa Solidarité Senegal
  24. Carlos Lopes || Economist
  25. Caster Semenya  || Olympic Athlete
  26. Catherine Adoyo Prof. || Professor, George Washington University
  27. Cellou Dalien Diallo || Economist and Politician
  28. Collen Mashawana || Philanthropist
  29. Denis Mukwege || Founder, Panzi Hospital
  30. Divine Ndhlukula || Managing Director, SECURICO
  31. Donald Kaberuka || Board Chair, Global Fund
  32. Edith Brou || Digital Entrepreneur
  33. Ellinah Wamukoya (Bishop) || Clergy
  34. Elsie S. Kanza || Head of Africa, World Economic Forum
  35. Emma Inamutila Theofelus || Deputy Minister, Namibia
  36. Enenche Paul Dr || Senior Pastor, Dunamis Int’l Gospel Centre
  37. Fadumo Dayib || Politician
  38. Fatou Bensouda || Prosecutor, ICC
  39. Félix Tshisekedi || President, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  40. Femi Otedola || Chair, Forte Oil PLC
  41. Folorunso Alakija || Businesswoman and philanthropist
  42. Francis Arinze (Cardinal) || Cardinal, Roman Catholic Church
  43. Fred Swaniker || Founder, African Leadership Academy, Ghana
  44. Georges Rebelo Chikoti || Diplomat
  45. Hafez Ghanem || Vice President, World Bank
  46. Hajer Sharief || Co-Founder, Together we build it, Libya
  47. Hamadoun Touré || Executive Director, SMART Africa
  48. Hanna Tetteh || Head, United Nations Office to the African Union
  49. Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki || CEO, NEPAD
  50. Ilwad Elman || Director, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center
  51. Isatou Alwar Graham || Lawyer and writer
  52. Ishaq Usman Bello (Justice) || Chief Judge FCT Abuja
  53. Jackie Chimhanzi. Dr || CEO, African Leadership Institute
  54. James Alix Michel || Former President of Seychelles
  55. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Prof) || Former Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast
  56. Jelani Aliyu || Automotive Designer, General Motors
  57. Jewel C. Howard Taylor.H.E || Vice President, Liberia
  58. Johannes Gawaxab || Governor, Bank of Namibia
  59. José Eduardo Agualusa || Journalist and writer
  60. Kabirou Mbodje || Founder, Wari Group
  61. Ken Kwaku .Dr || International Investment & Corporate Governance Expert
  62. Kumi Naidoo || Secretary-General  Amnesty International
  63. Kwesi Botchwey Prof. || Former Minister of Finance Ghana and Professor,
  64. Lamin Momodou Manneh || Lead, Regional Hub UNDP Africa
  65. Leymah Gbowee  || Founder, Gbowee Peace Foundation
  66. Louise Mushikiwabo || Secretary-General, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
  67. Lwazi Bam || CEO, Deloitte Africa
  68. Macsuzy Mondon  || Minister, Seychelles
  69. Major Seynabou Diouf || Police United Nation
  70. Manasseh Azure Awuni || Journalist
  71. Margaret Blick Kigozi Prof || Consultant, UNIDO
  72. Maria do Carmo Silveira || Former Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe’s
  73. Mariéme Jamme || Founder, iamtheCODE
  74. Matshidiso Moeti .Dr || Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organization (WHO)
  75. Mensa Otabil || Theologian
  76. Mia Couto || Biologist and writer
  77. Michelle Ndiaye || Director, Institute for Peace and Security Studies
  78. Mohamed El Kettani || CEO Attijariwafa Bank
  79. Mohamed ElBaradei || Law scholar and diplomat who served as Vice-President of Egypt
  80. Mutahi Kagwe || Cabinet Secretary for Health, Republic of Kenya
  81. Ngozi Okonjoi-Iweala. Dr || Board Chair, Gazi, Nigeria
  82. Nhlamu Dlomu || Global Head of People, KPMG
  83. Nobuhle Judith Dlamini Nxasana Dr. || Businesswoman and Author
  84. Patrick Awuah  || Founder, Ashesi University
  85. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba || Director, Kenya School of Law
  86. Paul Kagame H.E || President Rwanda
  87. Peter Tabichi || Teacher
  88. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka || Executive Director, UN Women
  89. Precious Moloi-Motsepe Dr. || Entrepreneur
  90. Shamila Batohi || Director, National Prosecuting Authority
  91. Sheila Tlou || Co-Chair, Global HIV Prevention Coalition
  92. Tony Ojobo .Dr || Public policy expert
  93. Vera Songwe. Dr || UN Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNECA,
  94. Vincent Rague || Co-founder of Catalyst Principal Partners,
  95. Wided Bouchamaoui || Co-Founder, Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet,
  96. Winnie Byanyima || Director UNAIDS,
  97. Wiseman L. Nkuhlu Prof  || Chancellor, University of Pretoria
  98. Wycliffe A. Oparanya || Politician
  99. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE || Mayor, Freetown, Sierra Leone
  100. 100.Zweli Mkhize Dr. || Minister, South Africa

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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