The African Sun Times, Africa’s number one and largest newspaper in America, has announced its Persons-of-the-Year, as well as the Corporate Social Responsibility Company of the Year. The categories the newspaper has chosen this year include International Person of the Year, African Statesman of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Company of the Year, Pan-African Person of the Year, Diaspora Person of the Year, Most Influential Person of the Year Under 40, and the African Tourism Ambassador of the Year. The individuals named include:
INTERNATIONAL PERSON OF THE YEAR 2015:
Former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who shocked the whole world by swiftly calling current Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and conceding his defeat in the March 29 Nigerian presidential election, thereby stopping the predictions of violent bloodshed in Nigeria, and keeping his words that he would not allow the blood of a Nigerian to be shed to further his political ambitions. President Jonathan must be applauded for creating a solid foundation for the growth of democracy in Africa. The world has started to recognize President Jonathan’s courageous act.
AFRICAN STATESMAN OF THE YEAR 2015:
Former President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania
Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania. President Kikwete served his country for 10 years of two terms and participated actively in the selection of the successor President John Magufuli, thereby continuing the tradition of democratic governance in Tanzania, in contrast to some of the neighboring countries where Presidents have abrogated the constitution to further their political ambitions. President has received so many honors for excellence and so many honorary doctorates by many universities. Africa would continue to need him for the peace negotiations he achieved not only during his presidency, but as well as when he was Tanzania’s foreign minister for 10 years.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2015:
Arik Air, the Nigerian international carrier, is the only African airline in West Africa to have met all standards of licensing by the American aviation authorities to fly to the U.S. Under its General Manager, North America, Mr. Robert Brunner, Arik Air has made a great impact on multiple organizations that serve the Nigerian community in America. No matter how big or small the organization is, Arik Air and its personal are always there to contribute and encourage the organizations in their mission of serving the community. The organizations use the tickets made available to them by Arik Air in raising funds.
PAN-AFRICAN PERSON OF THE YEAR 2015:
Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World and the Pan-African Unity Dialogue. There is a lot of fragmentation within the Pan-African Diaspora movement in the Diaspora, but Dr. Daniels has achieved success by bringing all the groups together, whether you are African, African-American, Caribbean or Latino American, he makes everybody comfortable and welcome to participate in the organization. Dr. Daniels also has to be applauded for his 20 years of service to the people of Haiti.
DIASPORA PERSON OF THE YEAR 2015:
Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, Founder and President of the African Union Diaspora African Forum (AU/DAF). There is no greater sacrifice a Diaspora African could make than to leave the comforts of your comfortable abode in the United States and move to Ghana in furtherance of creating a symbiotic relationship between Africa and the Diaspora. Ambassador Bennett has established the first Diaspora Diplomatic Mission in Accra, Ghana, and recognized as such by the Ghana government. She has used her offices and continues to use her offices to criss-cross the continent as well as returning to the U.S. to encourage stronger bonds between the Diaspora and the African continent. She is not only a person of the year but also a woman of substance.
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON OF THE YEAR UNDER 40 2015:
Ms. Linda Ikeji, founder of the lindaikeji.blogspot.com. Ms. Ikeji has achieved great fame and influence through her blogging, and is read by millions of people around the world who even get news about what is happening in their country through her blog. Dubbed the African Queen Blogger by the African Sun Times, Ms. Ikeji has become a role model to thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria, male and female and who she is increasingly mentoring through financial grants and personal advise.
TOURISM AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 2015:
Mr. Ikechi Uko, founder of the world famous Akwaaba Expo held every year in Nigeria, which has increasingly attracted international recognition. Go to any country in Africa and mention the name, Ikechi, people would immediately recognize the name and applaud the work he is doing to increase tourism in Africa. Unfortunately, a lot of countries don’t recognize or realize the great foreign exchange earnings of tourism and its effect on economic growth in countries, which is what Ikechi Uko is doing his utmost best to correct.
About the African Sun Times: The African Sun Times is the No.1 and largest weekly African newspaper in America and has been publishing for the past 37 years. It is the only African newspaper online and in print in the U.S.; and its Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Chika Onyeani, has won 73 awards for journalistic excellence, civil rights activities as well as philanthropic engagement. Dr. Onyeani is the author of the phenomenally successful and No.1 best selling book, Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success.” Onyeani is also the author of the latest successful new book, “Roar of the African Lion,” as well as his blockbuster novel, “The Broederbond Conspiracy,” (aka The Black James Bond), and the children’s book, “ODUM: The Lion.”