Ekufu starts new awards to celebrate African achievers

Former Nigerian kickboxing and MMA star, Ambassador Lovethpatra Ekufu, has launched the first Black African History Global Iconic Awards. She sees this initiative as a way to celebrate African greatness, encourage unity, and inspire young people across Africa.

Ekufu, who is the president of BAHGIA, announced that the awards will take place on July 5 at the Marriott Hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos. The awards aim to recognise the achievements of Black Africans and people of African descent around the world whose contributions are often overlooked.

"We discovered that Black people across the world are under-celebrated despite their outstanding contributions. The aim of this award is to honour excellence wherever it is found and bring deserving individuals to the forefront," Ekufu stated.

She praised the organising team for their dedication to the project, saying their teamwork is key to making the vision a reality.

"A tree cannot make a forest. This vision became possible because of a committed team working together to bring it to life," she said.

The awards will celebrate exceptional Africans and people of African descent who have made important contributions in areas like sports, politics, business, education, arts, entertainment, and community development.

Organisers mentioned that the event will include a daytime conference and a gala night to honour winners in over twenty categories. There will also be entertainment performances and speeches from respected guests from Africa and the diaspora.

Charles Ezerime, the vice president of BAHGIA, said they have involved relevant government agencies. These include the National Sports Commission, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, security agencies, and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism to ensure the event's success.

He explained that bringing unity among Africans and people of African descent is one of the main goals of this initiative.

"We are bringing people together under one umbrella, regardless of religion, culture, or nationality. The message is unity. Whether you are in Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, or the diaspora, we are one people," Ezerime said.

He also noted that Nigeria's important role in Africa influenced the choice to host the event in the country.

"We have great Nigerians and Africans doing remarkable things despite the challenges around us. It is important that we celebrate and promote these achievements," he added.

Olisa Chukwuma, the head strategist of BAHGIA, mentioned that sports are central to the vision behind the awards. He pointed out that Ekufu's experience as an internationally recognised kickboxing champion, known as the "Queen of the Cage," inspired much of the initiative.

"Sports are central to our vision. The founder’s background in sports inspired much of what we are doing today. We believe sports, entertainment, and youth development go hand in hand," Chukwuma said.

Board member Francis Emeka said the initiative also aims to motivate young people to value education and positive values at a time when many are losing faith in formal learning.

"Hosting this kind of event is not child’s play. We are appealing to corporate organisations, ministries, parastatals, and international bodies to support this vision. The impact it will have on young people is enormous," Emeka stated. He added that the conference session will address issues affecting African youth, such as insecurity and the decreasing value many place on education.

"Some youths now believe certificates have no value and are attracted to shortcuts to wealth. This conference will help change that perception and encourage them to pursue education and legitimate success," he explained.

Pauline Christian, who is based in Canada and leads the Martin Luther King Awards, said Lagos is the perfect city for the event because of its cultural importance and influence across Africa.

"Lagos is the heartbeat of African creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It stands at the intersection of history, influence, and global African excellence," Christian said. She described the event as a bridge between Africa and its diaspora.

"This is a moment for Africa and the diaspora to come together and celebrate our shared heritage. Lagos is a gateway to the world, and African excellence deserves a spot at the centre of global conversations," she added.

Organisers are confident that the first edition of the awards will set a new standard for celebrating Black excellence and encouraging collaboration among Black communities worldwide.