Dangote to receive ‘Pride of Africa Award’

Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will in September be honoured with Hall of Grace’s Pride of Africa Award in Lagos.

The Managing Custodian, Hall of Grace Awards, Rupert Ojenuwa, disclosed this during a briefing in Lagos.

He said the award, which is aimed at rewarding excellence and contribution to nation building, would also recognize other Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in different spheres of life including entrepreneurship, entertainment and philanthropy.

He said: “The Hall of Grace Awards was initiated to serve as a reward platform for deserving Nigerians. You know Nigeria is passing through a lot of challenges that could threaten our collective but despite this; we know that Nigeria is not as bad as portrayed and that a lot of people are actually working very hard to make things better.

“It is also true that criticisms are intended to make leaders work hard but praises such as this that our platform offers, could also make people who are already working hard to work harder.”

He explained that other Nigerians who would also receive awards include: Bayo Olugbemi for the Role Model Awards of the Year and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State for Man of the Year Award.

He also disclosed that Inyanya, Olamide, KC, Chidimma and Wizkid had been nominated for the Best Hip Hop Act of the year award, while Funke Akindele, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson, Yule Edochie, Frank Atus and John Dumelo were nominated for the Best Movie of the Year award.

Fans of the short listed celebrities are therefore expected to vote online for their choice candidates at www.hog.com beginning from August 2013.

The Hall of Grace Awards, which was put together by Chief Alex Akinyele three years ago, had had Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Murray Bruce of Silverbird Group as beneficiaries.