Rise with Courage, President Tinubu Urges Africa’s Next Leaders to Unite for a Prosperous Continent By Raymond Enoch
In a powerful message echoing through the grand halls of Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Africa’s young generation to step up, lead with courage, and shape a united and prosperous future for the continent.
Delivering Tinubu’s address at the 25th Anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, urged young Africans to embrace innovation, drive progress, and redefine leadership through service and inclusion.
“This is a moment for Africa’s scientists, innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, and artists to rise with courage,” Tinubu declared in a statement read by Odumegwu-Ojukwu. “Africa’s greatness lies in its unity and in the relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Accepting the prestigious Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize on Tinubu’s behalf, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aligns with the broader vision of regional integration, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
The event, hosted by the Millennium Excellence Foundation and attended by influential African leaders, was both a celebration of past achievements and a rallying cry for future impact. Tinubu paid tribute to African icons like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Dr. Mo Ibrahim—former laureates whose lives exemplify transformative leadership.
Among the Nigerian honorees recognized for their outstanding contributions were:
Dr. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank (Excellence in Global Intra-African Trade)
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State (Governance and Public Service)
Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder of BUA Group (Business Excellence)
Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs (Traditional Leadership and Enterprise)
The night in Kumasi shone with not only awards and accolades but also with the vision of a new African century—one where unity, innovation, and bold leadership light the path ahead.
President Tinubu’s message was clear: the future belongs to those who dare to lead, and Africa’s youth must rise to the challenge.
