Dr. Akpua Bags Global Excellence Awards in Business Leadership, Philanthropy

Dr. Akpua Bags Global Excellence Awards in Business Leadership, Philanthropy

•Urges Africans to Believe in Africa

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The President, Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD), has been awarded the prestigious Global Excellence Summit/AU Women Impact Award in Business Leadership and Philanthropy.

The award was presented during the recent 2025 Global Excellence Summits & Awards held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, in recognition of Dr. Akpua’s significant contributions to the development of Africa.

The summit, themed “Global Excellence in Diplomacy & Leadership: Africa’s Path to Prosperity,” attracted a diverse audience of diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, and change-makers from across the continent.

As a speaker and panelist at the event, Dr. Akpua, who is also the Director of Youth, Talent & Future Leaders, urged Africans to believe in their continent and take charge of its destiny.

He emphasized the importance of setting long-term goals rather than seeking immediate gratification.

“It’s high time Africans started believing in Africa. If  we do, it will be easier for us to tackle the majority of the challenges bedeviling us. Currently, we find it easier believing in white guys than our fellow brothers and that’s a major setback for us.

“If you go to Europe, they are selling a five year, 10 year vision for you. How many visions are we selling in Africa? We’re only selling today. How can it benefit me today? We don’t think about what happens in 10 years, 20 years.

“It’s high time Africans started believing in Africa and started selling our vision and believe in that thing that you as a person have produced or you can achieve.

“With that, give Africa 10 years, 20 years, we’ll get there. We’re already taking the lead,  just that the rest of the world don’t want to know or they don’t care to know because we don’t believe in ourselves,” Akpua said.

Dr. Akpua highlighted the need for Africans to embrace their cultural identity, which he believes is essential for fostering pride and unity. He pointed out that many Africans seek opportunities abroad, often overlooking the potential within their own countries.

“We need to help ourselves to understand that we have so many things we should be proud of, that we have been ashamed of. We should never be ashamed of our culture because those things are what made us who we are.

“Africa needs more collaboration. A lot of Africans are ‘japaing’. They are looking for greener pastures but there’s money in agriculture-which is indigenous to us, if we can explore it to our advantage,” he emphasized.

In a goodwill message, Executive Director and CEO of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Barrister Vera Safiya Ndanusa, spoke on the importance of leadership and democracy in Africa.

She emphasized that effective leadership is not just about occupying a position but about creating lasting systems and opportunities for future generations. “Leadership is a responsibility. It is about building systems that will last us,” she remarked.

Ndanusa also discussed the need for collaborative leadership that emphasizes partnerships across African nations.

She stressed that by working together, Africans can overcome challenges and achieve the prosperity they desire. “If we have good leaders who are not selfish, I believe all these challenges will be surmounted,” she stated.

The Global Excellence Summit not only recognized Dr. Akpua’s achievements but also served as a call to action for all Africans to unite and work towards a brighter future.

As the event concluded, attendees left inspired to contribute to the continent’s growth and development, embodying the spirit of collaboration and excellence that Dr. Akpua champions.

The Global Excellence Summits & Awards is an internationally recognized platform

conduit for high-level dialogue, investment opportunities, and the recognition of change.