New York City, September 5th, 2024 – MIPAD is proud to unveil the esteemed Most Influential 100 Lifetime Achievement Recipients 2024, individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to society.
In the spirit of recognition, we bestow the prestigious lifetime achievement salute upon outstanding achievers in three categories: Recognition, Justice, and Development. The recipients of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Awards are:President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (Republic of Ghana), Margareth Menezes (Brazil), Prof. Oussouby Sacko (Japan), and Geoffrey Onyeama, (Nigeria). Let’s get to know them briefly;
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (Republic of Ghana)
Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo became the fifth President of Ghana’s Fourth Republic and the 13th President of the country after winning the 2016 Presidential Election. He assumed office on January 7, 2017, and serves as an ex-officio Chairperson of COMSATS. Akufo-Addo is noted for his advocacy in human rights, rule of law, and democracy, providing free legal aid and fighting for Ghanaian liberties. In 1992, he was the first national organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and later managed the campaign of its first presidential candidate. He served three terms as Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South from 1996 to 2008 and held ministerial roles under President John Kufuor, including Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, and Foreign Minister.
Margareth Menezes (Minister of Culture of Brazil)
Margareth Menezes is a legend of modern Brazilian popular music (MPB, as it’s known). More specifically, she pioneered the distinctly Afro-Bahian sound samba-reggae back in the late 1980s. Her 1990 album Eligibo was a breakthrough for Afro-Brazilian music, and the toughly ebullient title song became her signature. That year, Menezes toured with David Byrne, winning her many fans including everyone at Afropop Worldwide. Fast forward to today, with all that’s happened in Brazil over the decades, Menezes became the Minister of Culture of Brazil in the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Jnuary 2023.
Professor Oussouby Sacko (Japan)
Professor Oussouby Sacko is a beacon of academic excellence and cultural bridge-building, originally from Bamako, Mali, and currently based in Kyoto, Japan. As a distinguished professor of architecture and the former president of Kyoto Seika University, Professor Sacko has dedicated his career to fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration between Africa and Asia
Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Minister Nigeria-2015 to 2023)
Geoffrey Onyeama studied Political Science at Columbia University, New York and Law at Cambridge University and the London School of Economics and qualified as a Barrister of the Gray’s Inn in the United Kingdom and as a Solicitor and Advocate in Nigeria. He worked as a Research Officer at the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and then as a private legal practitioner in Nigeria, before embarking on a 30-year career in Geneva, Switzerland at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations system, where he rose to become Deputy Director-General. He then returned to Nigeria and served for 8 years as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He set up the Kwusike Foundation, a non-profit organization, to support schools and widows in rural areas of Nigeria.
The award and recognition ceremony will take place on Friday, September 27th, 2024 at Harvard Club of New York City.
Most Influential 100 Recognition Week 2024 will kick off following the opening of the 79th UN General Assembly, taking place in New York City, USA, from September 26th to 29th, 2024. During this weekend-long celebration, we will also honor the Global Top 100 Under 40, Global Top 100 in the Futurist edition and Trade edition. More information can be found at Class of 2024
This year’s MIPAD Recognition Week will be a vibrant hub of global discussions, thought leadership, and meaningful connections. We encourage all honorees to leverage their global recognition, both now and beyond this decade, to unlock new opportunities on a global scale.
“This year is particularly momentous as we mark the conclusion of the first UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) and my final year as the inaugural CEO,” said Kamil Olufowobi, outgoing CEO of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).
“As we conclude this historic decade, I encourage all honorees to harness the power of their global recognition, not just for today, but for generations to come. The end of this 1st Decade marks the beginning of a new era. As we step into the 2nd Decade and MIPAD 2.0 under new leadership, let us unite in supporting them with the same commitment and passion,” he continued.
We invite you to join us in paying tribute to over 2000 exceptional personalities and high achievers of African descent from around the world, honoring their continous and significant contributions to humanity.
Registration for the events is NOW OPEN at events.mipad.org , and we eagerly await your presence among global changemakers and distinguished guests to commemorate these outstanding individuals of African descent for their positive contributions to humanity.
About MIPAD:
MIPAD is a trailblazing platform that recognizes the achievements and contributions of people of African descent globally, fostering a sense of pride and unity within the community. Through annual recognition events and various initiatives, MIPAD seeks to amplify the voices and impact of African diaspora leaders, inspiring positive change on a global scale.
To learn more about MIPAD
– MIPAD CEO Speech at United Nations (5:40-11:40)
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