Ejime, Bash Ali, Onwuchelu, others bag West Africa Icon Award

By Maureen Chigbo

Paul Ejime, an acclaimed journalist and governance communications specialist, and Bash Ali, a former World Boxing Champion, have been honoured with the West Africa Icon Award (WAIA) 2024, alongside other eminent Nigerians.

The award ceremony took place on Saturday, August 17, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Mr. Darlington Momoh Umoru, the Editor-in-Chief and Director of the Elation Magazine, a publication by Elation Communications, made the public presentation during the event.

Speaking, Mr. Umoru said the honourees were “high achievers whom the government and society have not sufficiently acknowledged for their contributions to human and societal development.”

Ejime is a Chevening Fellow, global affairs analyst and an advocate of development journalism.

He is involved in shaping narratives and influencing policy decisions on governance and democracy in West Africa.

He achieved the feat through his role as a Communications Specialist.

The giant strides of Paul Ejime

Ejime has contributed to the enrichment of the body of knowledge on cutting-edge communications and public information strategies.

He was accompanied by his wife Adeline and well-wishers, including Mrs. Josephine Kalu, a retired public servant.

Receiving the award, he expressed his appreciation to the Elation Magazine publishers, particularly Editor-in-Chief Umoru, his team and family.

Ejime said their laudable gesture was worthy of emulation at a time when many citizens tend to look up to governments for transformative initiatives.

Other recipients of West Africa Icon Award (WAIA) 2024

Other awardees included senior public servants such as Customs Officers.

The awardees have distinguished themselves in fighting smuggling and other crimes in West Africa.

They also include entrepreneurs with regional business interests.

Others are Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu, President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, and Dr Chioma Amajoh.

Dr. Amajoh is a renowned malaria expert and a retired Director from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health.

The menace of human trafficking, child prostitution and child labour

Onwuchelu used the occasion to alert Nigerian authorities on the dangers of human trafficking, child prostitution and child labour.

“Girls from 11 to 18 years old are being trafficked under the guise that they will become salesgirls,” he said.

“They are recruited and sent to forests where they are mining gold. It’s happening in Cote d’Ivoire and other African countries.

“Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar business,” he added.

Since he assumed office in 2021, Onwuchelu said his team has repatriated more than 900 girls to Nigeria, and the victims cut across various Nigerian States.

He said: “We have put together a rapid response team. I am happy people take note of what we are doing.

“I and my team are working together to save lives,” he added.

While receiving her award, Amajoh, popularly called “Mama Malaria” because of her passion and contributions to efforts against the mosquito-borne deadly disease in Africa, called for a re-doubling of efforts to defeat the disease.

Another recipient was Dickson Orji, Coordinator of the Presidential Committee on small arms and light weapons.

Orji said the proliferation of these weapons has exacerbated insecurity characterised by banditry and other crimes.

He cited the kidnap of medical students a few days ago.

Orji said the problem of insecurity, herder-farmer clashes and other crimes were traceable to illicit light weapons.

The Presidential Committee Coordinator said the problem could be addressed through good and proper parenting.

He said: “If you train your child well, he/she will not be influenced or influence other people.

“Security agencies are doing a lot, but the little lapses are what we are seeing. If you see something, say something.”

Bash Ali hails the award

In a pre-award interview, Bash Ali, a former World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Champion, hailed the award.

Ali said he had received many awards but that the latest award from the grassroots, makes a whole lot of difference.

The former world boxing champion said: “This Award is coming from the grassroots.

“It means a lot to me even though I have the OFR (Officer of the Federal Republic), the highest given to any athlete in Nigeria.”

Insisting that he is still a world champion, he recalled he was stripped of his title because he refused to fight again.

According to him, he went to court to seek redress, won the case and was awarded compensation.

Paul Ejime honoured with the West Africa Icon Award (WAIA) 2024 alongside other eminent Nigerians

In his address, Umoru, a Security Consultant, who also, works with the Nigerian Football Supporters Club said he was “happy to see a gathering of this magnitude,” at the same time.

Umoru said: “I feel a bit unhappy because awards are given to people when they are dead.

“I feel sad because some people who served this nation are not recognised.”

Ambrose Nwoye gets post-humous award

He cited the case of an Abidjan-based Nigerian businessman, Chief Ambrose Nwoye, a philanthropist, who supported Nigerians visiting or resident in Cote d’Ivoire.

Chief Nwoye incidentally died while watching a match involving the Super Eagles in the recent African nations’ cup.

He noted: “The man was buried recently and there was no representation from the Nigerian Football Federation.

“Only the Football Supporters Club sent representatives.

“Today, the organisers of this award are giving him (Nwoye) a post-humous award.

“On behalf of the organisers of this award, the late Ambrose Nwoye, who died supporting (Nigeria’s National flag of) Green, White, Green… will be rolling in his grave with joy,” Umoru affirmed.

He told the Awardees: “We are challenging you to do more.”

The WAIA Award has been given to 65 other prominent Africans.

These include former late President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

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